The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Leo XIV was diagnosed with lung cancer following successful surgery to remove a lower lobe of his right lung. The 71-year-old pontiff underwent the 90-minute procedure on Tuesday at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he was subsequently diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma.
A medical bulletin released by the Vatican stated that the Pope awoke normally after the operation and returned to his room on the 10th floor after a brief period of observation. The diagnosis came after a lump was detected during what the Vatican described as routine checks. The pontiff had no symptoms of infection or illness prior to the discovery.
Pope Leo XIV Announces Operation in St Peter’s Square
Pope Leo XIV himself revealed the news to the public on Sunday. Speaking from the balcony in St Peter’s Square after delivering the traditional Angelus blessing, he informed the crowd that a nodule on his lung was contained and had been found at a very early stage. He noted that doctors had advised him to have the growth removed.
Large crowds had gathered outside the Gemelli Hospital earlier on Tuesday to greet the Pope. Witnesses reported that people waited for several hours to offer well wishes. As the Pope passed through the lowered back window of his car, he waved and smiled at the cheering supporters. Upon arrival, he was met by hospital staff on the steps, where one staff member expressed regret for the situation and assured the Pope that they were there for him.
Recovery Timeline and Latin America Trip
The thoracic surgery team at Gemelli Hospital performed the procedure. The Vatican has cleared the Pope’s schedule until October 20 to allow for adequate recovery time. Cardinal Kikuchi Tarcisio Isao of Tokyo, who had an audience with the pontiff on Monday, reported that the Pope felt physically well and had no complaints.
The decision to proceed with surgery quickly was driven by the Pope’s upcoming travel plans. He is scheduled to travel to Latin America in early November, a trip that includes a significant visit to Peru. The pontiff served as a missionary and later as a Bishop in Peru for many years, making the visit particularly meaningful. The Vatican emphasized that the Pope was keen to stick to this itinerary despite the medical diagnosis.
Cardinal Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, admitted to journalists on Tuesday that the news was a shock. He described the announcement as a “bolt from the blue” and acknowledged his own worry. However, he noted that the cardinals were struck by the Pope’s serenity and expressed confidence in his recovery.
Nodules are common findings and are not always cancerous, but doctors typically test removed lumps to check for disease. The Vatican stressed that Pope Leo XIV is generally considered fit and had shown no signs of illness before the routine checks revealed the growth. Catholics around the world reacted with a mix of prayer and concern, with some expressing surprise given the Pope’s reputation for health.
Source: BBC
