The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Leo XIV has lung cancer, announcing the diagnosis after surgery to remove a nodule at Rome's Gemelli Hospital.
In a medical bulletin issued after Tuesday's operation, the Vatican said surgeons removed the lower lobe of the pope's right lung and that tests confirmed lung adenocarcinoma. The bulletin said the diagnosis matched what doctors had suspected from tests before the operation. "The surgery was successful, and there were no complications," the statement said. The pope woke normally and rested in his hospital room.
On Wednesday, the Vatican said the pope spent a peaceful night at Gemelli and that more information would follow later in the day. He is expected to stay in the hospital for about a week.
Further tests will determine whether more treatment is needed. The Vatican has not disclosed the stage of the cancer. A specialist told the AP that if lymph node tests come back negative, the outlook would be very good and no further treatment would be needed. That has not been confirmed in the pope's case.
The Vatican gave no word on whether Leo could keep his planned November trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. It is set for Nov. 6-17, and AP reports it depends on his recovery.
Before his surgery, Pope Leo asked the faithful to pray for him. Catholics and believers around the world continue to do so.
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