Pope Leo XIV diagnosed with lung cancer following successful operation

Pope Leo XIV underwent a successful 90-minute operation on Tuesday to remove a cancerous growth from his right lung, France 24, the Buenos Aires Times, Al Jazeera, and Guardian Europe reported. The 71-year-old pontiff woke up normally following the procedure and is recovering at the Gemelli hospital in Rome, according to statements from the Vatican cited by France 24 and Al Jazeera. [1][2][3][4][5][7]

To ensure the complete removal of the growth, surgeons excised the lower lobe of the pope's right lung, the Buenos Aires Times, Guardian Europe, and the South China Morning Post reported. Subsequent tissue tests confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, a finding that doctors had previously suspected during preoperative evaluations, according to Al Jazeera, Guardian Europe, and the South China Morning Post. [2][3][4][6][7]

The Vatican stated that the operation proceeded as planned and on schedule, Guardian Europe and Al Jazeera reported. A Vatican official noted that further medical tests are under way to determine if the cancer has spread beyond the lung, according to France 24 and the Buenos Aires Times. The Holy See has not yet released details regarding the pontiff's expected recovery timeline or future treatment plans, Al Jazeera reported. [1][2][3][4][5]

Pope Leo XIV serves as the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City. As FTMQ World reported earlier, the pontiff personally announced his upcoming surgery during a weekly Sunday address prior to the operation. Doctors initially anticipated he would spend approximately one week recovering in hospital. [13][14]