Pope Leo’s Surgery Confirms Early Lung Adenocarcinoma
The Holy Father awoke normally at Gemelli as bishops from Asia urge prayer for his recovery.
Pope Leo XIV underwent successful surgery on Tuesday afternoon, October 13, at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli University Hospital to remove the lower lobe of his right lung.
The procedure, led by thoracic surgeon Professor Stefano Margaritora, lasted approximately 90 minutes and was completed without complications. The Holy Father remained in the operating room for about three hours, awoke normally afterward, and returned to his room on the hospital’s 10th floor.
The Holy See Press Office confirmed that an intraoperative frozen-section examination verified pulmonary adenocarcinoma, as physicians had suspected before the operation. Further post-operative examinations of the removed tissue are planned. The Vatican described the surgery as successful and completed on schedule. All of the Pope’s scheduled audiences remain canceled through October 20 while he recovers.
An Early-Stage Diagnosis Confirmed
Physicians characterized the nodule as small and localized, making prompt surgical intervention possible while the disease remained at an early stage. The frozen-section analysis carried out during the operation confirmed adenocarcinoma. Pathological study of the removed tissue will continue in the days ahead to determine any additional care required.
The 71-year-old American pontiff had personally announced the discovery of the nodule and his decision to undergo surgery during his Angelus address on October 11. That rare public candor on papal health broke with long-standing Vatican practice and allowed the faithful to unite in prayer before he entered the hospital.
Prayer Rises From Every Continent
Catholics across the world have responded with prayers and expressions of solidarity. Bishops’ conferences in Asia have voiced their closeness to the Holy Father, inviting the faithful to entrust Pope Leo XIV to Christ in this hour of recovery.
As the Successor of Peter rests after a procedure carried out on schedule and without complications, the ordinary work of the Roman Curia continues. The Church accompanies her shepherd with prayer, confident that the Lord who called him to the See of Peter also sustains him in trial.