Pope Leo XIV underwent a medical procedure at Agostino Gemelli University Hospital in Rome to remove a nodule in his lung. The Vatican confirmed the surgery took place on Tuesday.
The 71-year-old pope had thoracic surgery to take out the lower lobe of his right lung. Doctors diagnosed him with lung adenocarcinoma, a type of lung cancer, as per a statement from the Holy See Press Office. This diagnosis was confirmed through tissue analysis during the procedure, aligning with pre-surgery tests.
The surgery lasted about 90 minutes, though Pope Leo stayed in the operating room for three hours. Doctors reported that the operation was successful without complications.
“Doctors found a small lump in the lung,” Leo stated after his Angelus address at St. Peter’s Square on Monday. “It was identified at a very early stage and well situated.”
Pope Leo XIV, accompanied by Health Director Andrea Cambieri, arrived at the Gemelli University Hospital to have the lump removed. Following the surgery, Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora noted that Leo awoke normally and returned to his hospital room after a short observation period.
The Vatican confirmed that the surgery used a video-assisted technique to remove the lower lobe of the pope’s right lung. This announcement was unexpected since Pope Leo, the first American pope in history, is known for his active lifestyle and had no prior health issues.
He regularly engages in tennis and swimming at the papal summer retreat in Castel Gandolfo, according to reports.
Pope Leo XIV has an international trip planned from Nov. 6–17, with visits to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru. It is not yet clear if these plans will change due to his recent surgery.
In addition to his health update, Leo used his Sunday address to renew calls for peace in Ukraine. He emphasized the conflict’s impact beyond Ukraine’s borders, especially affecting poorer countries reliant on grain exports.
“The war in the martyred Ukraine continues to create suffering, even beyond its borders, especially in the poorest countries, where many people depend on the exports of cereals and grains,” the pope stated.