Pope Leo XIV recovering after lung surgery confirms adenocarcinoma
In short
Pope Leo XIV underwent successful lung surgery in Rome on October 13, with tissue testing confirming lung adenocarcinoma, the Vatican said. He is expected to remain in hospital for about a week, and Yomiuri reported that events through October 20 had been cancelled.
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Pope Leo XIV is recovering after surgery in Rome on October 13 confirmed lung adenocarcinoma, the Vatican said. The 71-year-old pontiff underwent removal of a lung nodule, and tissue testing during the procedure identified the cancer. The Vatican said the operation was successful, while subsequent reports described his recovery as progressing normally. [ 7 , 11 , 13 , 14 ]
A statement from the doctors, released by the Vatican, said the lower lobe of the right lung was removed to achieve complete removal of the cancer, Jiji Press reported. TBS and Yomiuri said the procedure lasted about 90 minutes and there were no complications. Yomiuri reported that the pope had returned to his hospital room. [ 7 , 9 , 13 ]
The pope had announced on October 11 that a nodule had been detected at a very early stage and that he would undergo surgery. A Vatican spokesperson said it was found during routine checks. Before the operation, officials expected him to stay in hospital for about one week, and later reports continued to give that expected duration. [ 2 , 4 , 9 , 11 , 13 ]
Yomiuri reported that events through October 20 had been cancelled. Tokyo Shimbun's October 15 update said his postoperative recovery was progressing well, with regular meals and walking inside his room. The supplied reports do not set out a further treatment plan. [ 13 , 14 ]
Before surgery, Tokyo Archbishop Cardinal Isao Kikuchi reported that the pope had told him he felt as usual and had opted for an early operation to avoid changing future travel plans, according to Nikkei. The newspaper reported that the pope planned to visit three South American countries in November. [ 4 ]
Why it matters
The diagnosis followed the discovery of a nodule at a very early stage, according to Vatican statements. The operation removed the lower lobe of his right lung, and reports said his recovery was progressing without complications.
Key facts
- Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery in Rome on October 13, and tissue testing confirmed lung adenocarcinoma. [ 7 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]
- The Vatican said the surgery was successful. [ 7 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]
- The lower lobe of his right lung was removed. [ 9 , 13 ]
- The operation lasted about 90 minutes, with no complications reported. [ 7 , 13 ]
- A hospital stay of about one week was expected. [ 9 , 11 , 13 ]
- Yomiuri reported that events through October 20 had been cancelled. [ 13 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The supplied reports do not specify any further treatment plan. They describe the operation, diagnosis, recovery and expected hospital stay.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- October 13: Nikkei reports the pope's hospital admission and planned surgery that day. [ 4 ]
- October 14: TBS reports successful surgery and confirmation of adenocarcinoma. [ 7 ]
- October 14: Yomiuri reports recovery without complications and cancelled events through October 20. [ 13 ]
- October 15: Tokyo Shimbun reports regular meals and walking inside the room during recovery. [ 14 ]