Pope Leo XIV undergoes successful lung surgery after cancer diagnosis

Pope Leo XIV has undergone successful lung surgery at Gemelli Hospital, with doctors confirming a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma during the operation, according to Vatican City News.

The surgery took place on Tuesday afternoon as planned, following preoperative examinations that had raised concerns about the condition affecting the Pope’s right lung.

In a statement released by the Holy See Press Office, the medical team said the procedure involved removing the lower lobe of the Pope’s right lung using a video-assisted surgical technique.

“To ensure a radical resection, the lower lobe of the right lung was removed using a video-assisted technique,” the statement said.

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The doctors also confirmed that an examination of the tissue during the operation established the diagnosis.

“An intraoperative histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, as suspected from the preoperative examinations,” the medical team said.

Lung adenocarcinoma is a type of lung cancer that develops in glandular cells lining the lungs.

Pope Leo XIV's surgery was completed without complications.

According to Vatican City News, the Pope spent approximately three hours in the operating room, while the surgical procedure itself lasted about 90 minutes.

The medical team described the operation as successful, with no complications reported.

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Pope Leo awoke normally after the surgery and returned to his room on the hospital’s 10th floor following a brief period of observation.

Professor Stefano Margaritora led the surgical team, assisted by Professor Elisa Meacci, Dr. Maria Teresa Congedo, and Dr. Leonardo Petracca Ciavarella.

The anesthesia team consisted of Professor Massimo Antonelli, Dr. Giovanni Punzo, and Dr. Giuseppe Bello.

Further tests planned after Pope's lung surgery

Doctors are expected to conduct additional examinations on the tissue removed during the operation in the coming days.

The preoperative investigations had already provided the medical team with information about the location and nature of the condition, helping them determine the appropriate surgical approach.

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Meanwhile, there has been no change to the previously announced hospitalization period of one week.

The Holy See Press Office is expected to provide a further update on Wednesday morning, including information about how the Pope spent the night and any available examination results.

Pope Leo XIV asks for dinner after surgery.

Despite undergoing the procedure, Pope Leo asked for dinner after returning to his hospital room and spent the evening with his secretaries and other Vatican staff.

The information was provided by Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office.

Further updates on the Pope’s recovery and the results of subsequent examinations are expected as his hospital stay continues.