Pope Leo XIV Successfully Has Lung Lobe Removed

Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery on Tuesday to address a lung nodule, which was confirmed to be lung adenocarcinoma. The Vatican announced that the lower lobe of his right lung was successfully removed during the procedure.

The 71-year-old pontiff spent approximately three hours in surgery at Rome's Gemelli hospital. The Vatican's medical bulletin stated the operation was successful and without complications. Oncologists suggest that early-stage detection and removal generally lead to an excellent prognosis.

This marks a rare instance of transparency regarding the Pope's health. He had publicly disclosed the presence of the nodule during his Sunday noon prayer, announcing his decision to have it removed. The surgery, performed by a team led by Dr. Stefano Margaritora, is expected to result in a week-long hospital stay.

Recovery from the surgery may impact Pope Leo XIV's planned November travel to South America. Current itineraries for his trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru are ambitious, involving extensive travel. The decision to undergo surgery soon was intended to avoid altering future overseas plans.