Pope Leo XIV’s surgery confirmed he suffered from lung cancer and had the lower lobe of his right lung removed, the Vatican announced Tuesday.
Tests confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, the Vatican said in a medical bulletin released after the operation. The diagnosis was suspected by preoperative tests and confirmed during surgery.
The 71-year-old pontiff was in the operating room for approximately 3 hours, the statement said. The operation itself lasted approximately 90 minutes. “The operation was successful and there were no complications,” the statement said.
“To ensure a radical resection, the lower lobe of the right lung was removed using a video-assisted technique,” the Vatican said in a statement. “Intraoperative histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, suspected during preoperative tests.”
According to the Vatican, the pope “regained normal consciousness” following the procedure and was then taken back to his room on the 10th floor of Rome’s Gemelli hospital.
Leo had entered Gemelli Hospital through the main entrance earlier in the day and greeted the dozens of well-wishers who had gathered to greet him. The Vatican said the operation was carried out by a team led by Gemelli’s chief thoracic surgeon, Dr. Stefano Margaritora.
The Vatican on Monday canceled all Leo audiences until October 20. It is unclear whether Leo would be able to keep his planned trip to South America next month.
While Gemelli has a specific papal apartment that past popes have used, with a private chapel on the 10th floor, Leon will actually be staying in a neighboring room since the papal apartment is being renovated, according to the Vatican press office.
This is a breaking story and will be updated.
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