The Vatican announced Tuesday that Pope Leo XIV, 71, has been diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, Italy.
According to the Vatican’s medical report, preoperative tests raised suspicions of lung adenocarcinoma, and a tissue examination conducted during surgery confirmed the diagnosis.
Details of the Pope’s Surgery
The medical statement said the Pope spent approximately three hours in the operating room, while the surgical procedure itself lasted around 90 minutes. The Vatican confirmed that the operation was successful and that no complications occurred.
The lower lobe of the Pope’s right lung was removed with the aim of completely excising the tumor, according to the details released after the procedure.
On Sunday, the Pope had announced that recent medical examinations had detected a small, localized lung nodule. He added that doctors had recommended surgery to remove it.
What Is Lung Adenocarcinoma?
Lung adenocarcinoma is a type of lung cancer that develops in glandular cells and is among the most common forms of the disease.
The Vatican said the diagnosis was confirmed during surgery, following earlier tests that had raised concerns about the nature of the lung nodule.
Attention is now focused on the Pope’s recovery and the monitoring of his health, with further official medical updates awaited.
