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Pope Leo XIV undergoes surgery for lung adenocarcinoma

What happened

Pope Leo XIV underwent a three-hour surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung after being diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma.

Following the procedure, the Pope spent a calm night and issued a public message thanking Catholics for their prayers and support.

Why it matters

The Vatican has not disclosed the stage of the Pope's cancer or whether it has spread, which are factors for determining his long-term prognosis and potential need for further treatment.

Context

The Pope was initially admitted to a hospital in Rome to address a nodular lesion identified in his right lung.

As of the Wednesday following his surgery, the Vatican reported his recovery was progressing normally, with post-operative blood tests and a chest X-ray indicating a normal recovery course.

The Pope has begun respiratory physiotherapy, is walking, and has resumed a normal diet, with an expected hospital stay of approximately one week.

Sources 5 sources

This briefing cites 3 publishers across 3 detected independent reporting streams.