The Vatican says Pope Leo XIV spent a peaceful night in a Rome hospital following successful surgery to remove part of his right lung, while doctors await test results to determine whether his cancer requires additional treatment.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Pope Leo XIV spent a peaceful night at Rome’s Gemelli hospital following surgery to remove a cancerous portion of his right lung, the Vatican announced Wednesday, October 14, as doctors continued evaluating whether the disease had spread and if further treatment would be necessary.
The 71-year-old American pontiff underwent surgery Tuesday after medical examinations revealed a small, localized lung nodule. Tissue examined during the procedure confirmed lung adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer.
“The night passed calmly for the Pope. Further information will be provided later today,” the Holy See Press Office said in a Wednesday morning medical update.
Surgeons removed the lower lobe of Leo’s right lung using a minimally invasive, video-assisted technique intended to remove all suspicious tissue. The operation lasted approximately 90 minutes, although the pope spent about three hours in the operating room.
“The surgery was successful, and there were no complications,” the Vatican said Tuesday.
The surgical team was led by Dr. Stefano Margaritora, Gemelli’s chief thoracic surgeon. Following the procedure, Leo regained consciousness normally and returned to his hospital room after a period of observation.
According to Associated Press reporting on his recovery, the pope has resumed eating and walking, while postoperative examinations, including blood tests and chest imaging, indicate that his initial recovery is progressing normally.
However, medical specialists cautioned that the successful operation does not yet establish the cancer’s stage or determine whether additional treatment will be necessary.
Doctors are examining the removed tissue and nearby lymph nodes for evidence that cancer cells may have spread beyond the affected portion of the lung.
Dr. Stephen Liu, a lung cancer specialist at Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center who is not involved in Leo’s care, said the diagnosis alone is insufficient to determine the pontiff’s long-term prognosis.
“Adenocarcinoma is the most common (type of lung cancer), also with the most favorable prognosis,” Liu said. “While we know the diagnosis, we now need to know the stage.”
He emphasized that tumor size, the number of affected areas and lymph node involvement will influence treatment decisions.
“We now need to know how big it is, how many spots in the lung are involved. Is it just one nodule, or more than one, and the lymph nodes, are they cancerous?”
If testing confirms that the cancer was confined to the removed lung lobe, surgery alone may be sufficient. More advanced disease could require chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted medications, depending on the tumor’s characteristics.
Liu said early-stage detection generally offers a favorable outlook, although the Vatican has not released enough medical information to determine Leo’s individual prognosis.
The pope is expected to remain hospitalized for approximately one week. His public audiences have been canceled through October 20, allowing him to recover under medical supervision.
Leo is staying in a room near Gemelli’s traditional papal apartment, which is undergoing renovations.
The Vatican’s openness about his condition has attracted attention because papal medical information has historically been closely guarded.
Leo publicly disclosed the lung nodule during his Sunday noon prayer, telling the faithful that doctors had discovered the abnormality during routine examinations and recommended its removal.
The announcement marked the first major publicly disclosed health concern of his papacy, which began in May 2025.
Questions now surround his planned November 6–17 trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, an ambitious itinerary involving approximately 19,000 miles of travel, numerous flights and significant altitude changes.
Oncology specialists often recommend avoiding air travel for several weeks following lung surgery, although recovery recommendations vary according to individual circumstances.
“If it is stage 1, he can complete these trips. If more treatment is needed, I would likely advise against the trips,” Liu said.
The Vatican has not announced any itinerary changes, and a final decision will depend on Leo’s recovery and the results of additional testing.
Despite losing the lower lobe of his right lung, the pope may gradually recover substantial breathing capacity through the remaining lung tissue. Leo has generally maintained an active lifestyle that includes tennis and swimming.
For now, Vatican officials report that his recovery is proceeding without complications. The next significant development will be the pathology results, which should provide a clearer understanding of the cancer’s stage and whether further treatment is required.
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