Pope Leo XIV Undergoes Successful Lung Surgery
The 71-year-old pontiff's procedure at Rome's Gemelli hospital prompts cancellation of papal audiences through October 20.
Callum Smith
Pope Leo XIV underwent successful surgery to remove a small growth from one of his lungs.
Professor Stefano Margaritora performed the surgery at Rome's Gemelli hospital; the procedure lasted approximately 90 minutes.
The Vatican confirmed the Pope's health update, canceling all papal audiences through October 20.
A routine medical exam identified the nodule. The Pope himself revealed on Sunday that a recent check-up detected it at an early stage.
Adenocarcinoma, a cancer originating in glandular or secretory cells, reportedly affects women more often than men, appearing in younger individuals at a higher rate than other lung cancers.
Medical personnel reportedly recited the Rosary in the hospital chapel during the operation; it completed as planned.
Ongoing renovations mean the Pope is being accommodated in a neighboring room instead of the dedicated papal apartment, the Vatican press office claims.
Experts suggest the surgery will determine whether the lesion is malignant and if other treatment is needed.
Archbishop Kikuchi claims the Pope felt no different than usual, looking ahead to a planned trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 6-17.
Archbishop Kikuchi also stated the Pope decided to undergo surgery soon to avoid changing his plans for future overseas trips; there was no need to worry as it was not an emergency.
Luis Antonio Tagle will lead the weekly papal audience on Wednesday.
In 1985, Pope Leo XIV, an American, contracted typhoid fever in Chulucanas, Peru.