Pope Leo to undergo surgery in coming days after nodule discovered on his lung

Pope Leo XIV, 71, underwent surgery at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital after routine medical checks detected a small lung nodule. The Vatican said the procedure to remove the lower lobe of his right lung was successful. Newswire reported it took 90 minutes and was performed on Tuesday, the 13th.

Newswire, citing Vatican News, reported that doctors identified lung adenocarcinoma after examining tissue taken during the operation. Daily Mirror reported that the pope had said the growth was found at an early stage.

Newswire said the operation was completed without complications. After a short observation period, the pope was awake and returned to his hospital room, the outlet reported. He is expected to remain in hospital for approximately one week while doctors test the removed tissue, including to check whether the cancer has spread, according to Newswire, which cited BBC reporting.

Newswire reported that the pope’s official engagements were cancelled through October 20 to give him time to recover. Daily Mirror described this as his first hospital stay since he became pope.