The Vatican has disclosed that Pope Leo XIV, 71, has received a cancer diagnosis after doctors removed the lower section of his right lung. The information came in a medical bulletin issued by the Holy See.
Tests confirmed lung adenocarcinoma, according to the bulletin, which said preoperative examinations had already pointed to the condition. The Vatican gave no information about his likely recovery or any treatment plan.
Surgery described as successful with no complications
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Vatican said the operation took 90 minutes and that it “was successful, and there were no complications.” The press office said the word “radical” in the medical statement indicated that surgeons had taken away all tissue they considered suspicious, in hopes of clearing any remaining traces of the disease.
Before the procedure, Leo waved to dozens of well-wishers gathered at the main entrance of Rome’s Gemelli hospital. He first disclosed that doctors had found a small nodule during his noon prayer in St Peter’s Square on Sunday. “The doctors believe it’s best to take action, so, following their advice, I’ve decided to have surgery to remove it,” he said in Italian.
Recovery plans and upcoming Latin America tour
The 71-year-old has gone back to his room at Gemelli, where he is expected to rest for about a week. All of his audiences through October 20 have been called off. The Vatican said doctors are not presently discussing chemotherapy or other treatments until results from further tests are available.
Leo has no reported history of serious illness and is regarded as physically active, swimming and playing tennis regularly. The operation comes before a planned official tour of Latin America from November 6 to 17, with stops in Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. It remains unclear whether his recovery will alter the demanding schedule, which includes a dozen flights, two helicopter trips and major changes in altitude in Peru. On Sunday, the pope told reporters he intends to make the trip.
