Pope Leo XIV Recovering After Surgery Reveals Cancerous Growth in Right Lung

Pope Leo XIV is recovering at a hospital in Rome after undergoing surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, where further examination revealed pulmonary adenocarcinoma, a common type of lung cancer, according to the Vatican.

The Vatican announced on Tuesday evening that the operation had been completed successfully and that the pontiff had returned to his hospital room. In an update on Wednesday morning, officials said he had spent a quiet night.

“The Holy Father underwent thoracic surgery as scheduled,” Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora said in a statement, adding that the lower lobe of the pope’s right lung was removed using video-assisted surgery.

The procedure, which lasted approximately 90 minutes, took place on Tuesday afternoon at the Agostino Gemelli University Policlinic hospital in northwest Rome.

The cancerous growth was identified following further examination of the removed lung tissue. The Vatican has not provided additional details about the cancer’s stage or any further treatment plans.

The 71-year-old pontiff had disclosed on Sunday that doctors discovered a nodule on his lung and recommended its removal. He said the growth had been detected at an early stage and was well-contained.

Following the operation, Pope Leo cancelled all public engagements until October 20 to allow time for recovery. A Vatican spokesman had earlier indicated that he would need approximately a week to recuperate.

Medical experts have said that surgery to remove a lung nodule is often minimally invasive and generally associated with a low rate of complications. Dr. Matthew Triplette, a pulmonary and critical care specialist at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, said outcomes can be favourable when non-small cell lung cancer is detected at an early stage.

The pope is not known to have smoked and has reportedly maintained an active lifestyle, including playing tennis and swimming. His previous major hospitalisation was in 1985, when he was treated for typhoid fever in Peru.

Cancer has also affected members of his family. His mother, Mildred Prevost, died of cancer in 1990, while his father, Louis Prevost, died in 1997 from colon cancer and heart disease. His eldest brother, Louis Prevost, has reportedly been receiving treatment for cancer since his diagnosis in 2017.

The Vatican has continued its day-to-day operations during the pope’s hospital stay. However, matters requiring his personal signature may be delayed. Under existing Catholic Church practice, the pope retains full papal authority even when hospitalised or undergoing surgery.

Senior Vatican officials have expressed support for the pontiff. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, said he was surprised by the need for the operation but remained hopeful that the condition could be addressed because it had been detected promptly.

Catholic clergy and faithful around the world have also offered prayers and messages of support for the first American pope.

The Vatican said the lung growth was discovered during routine medical tests. Further updates on Pope Leo’s recovery are expected as he continues his hospital stay.