Pope Leo XIV (Leo XIV) underwent surgery on Tuesday to remove a cancerous tumor from his lung. According to the Vatican, this tumor was later confirmed to be cancerous, and the Pope came to after the operation normally.
Surgery Details
The Vatican announced in a brief statement that the surgery was successfully completed within the expected time. The medical report indicated that the lower lobe of Pope Leo's right lung was removed and he has been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma (a type of lung cancer). This diagnosis had been suspected prior to the surgery with pre-operative tests and was confirmed during the procedure.
Impact on Future Plans
The surgery at the renowned Gemelli Hospital in Rome, which has been a treatment location for popes for decades, lasted about 7 hours. According to the Vatican, the Pope's recovery time is expected to be around one week. Based on oncologists' opinions, Pope Leo has a good prognosis as the cancerous tumor was identified quickly. A Vatican source stated that further tests are being conducted to determine if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Pope Leo, 71, announced this health issue during a prayer ceremony on Sunday to thousands of worshippers, reflecting a transparency shift regarding his health status compared to his predecessors. In the past, the Vatican has faced criticism for vague statements about the health conditions of popes.
All of the Pope's engagements have been canceled until October 20, but he is likely to proceed with his scheduled trip to South America in November.
Read more: Pope Leo XIV Holds Prayer Ceremony in Paris
