The Vatican has announced that Pope Leo XIV underwent successful surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung after tests raised suspicion of lung adenocarcinoma.
In a statement, the Vatican said the procedure was carried out at a hospital in Rome, with doctors using a video-assisted technique to remove the affected portion of the lung.
An examination of tissue taken during the operation confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, according to the statement. The Vatican said the operation went according to plan and was completed without complications.
The 71-year-old pontiff reportedly spent about three hours in the operating room, while the procedure itself lasted approximately 90 minutes. He was returned to his hospital room following the operation.
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said members of the clergy were praying for the Pope’s recovery following the diagnosis.
CNN reported that the hospitalisation marks the first time Pope Leo XIV has been admitted to hospital since the beginning of his pontificate.
The hospital, Gemelli Hospital in north-west Rome, has a dedicated suite on its 10th floor for papal use. The facility was frequently used by the late Pope John Paul II, who reportedly nicknamed it “Vatican three”.
Pope Francis also spent an extended period at the same hospital in early 2024 while receiving treatment for pneumonia.
The Vatican has described the operation as successful, with no complications reported during the procedure.
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