VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV spent a calm night at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital following surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, the Vatican said Wednesday morning.
Doctors performed the operation Tuesday using a video assisted technique. Tissue examined during the procedure confirmed that the growth was lung adenocarcinoma, a type of lung cancer.
The 71 year old Pope spent approximately three hours in the operating room, while the operation itself lasted about 90 minutes. His medical team said the surgery was successful and there were no complications.
Pope Leo awakened normally after the procedure and returned to his hospital room following a brief period of observation. The Holy See Press Office said Wednesday that his first night after surgery passed calmly.
The Pope first disclosed the medical concern Sunday, October 11, saying doctors had found a small, localized nodule during routine examinations. He described it as having been detected very early and being well localized.
Additional examinations of the removed tissue are expected. The Vatican has not announced the cancer’s formal stage or whether the Pope will require further treatment.
Pope Leo is expected to remain hospitalized for approximately one week. His scheduled public audiences have been canceled through October 20.