Pope Leo XIV has lung cancer, Vatican says; lower lobe of right lung removed
Pope Leo XIV undergoes surgery for lung adenocarcinoma
Bharatmorningnews.com – Pope Leo XIV has undergone surgery after doctors confirmed lung adenocarcinoma, with the lower lobe of his right lung removed during the procedure. The Vatican said the 71-year-old pontiff was recovering after the operation at Rome’s Gemelli hospital.
The surgery followed the discovery of a nodule during a medical examination. The Pope had announced days earlier that he would need an operation, and his public schedule has since been cleared until October 20 as he recuperates.
Operation lasted about 90 minutes
The Holy See Press Office said surgeons used a video-assisted approach to remove the affected lower lobe. The full time spent in the operating theatre was about three hours, while the surgical procedure itself lasted roughly 90 minutes.
The Holy Father underwent thoracic surgery as scheduled. To ensure a radical procedure, the lower lobe of the right lung was removed using a video-assisted technique. The intraoperative histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, as suspected by the pre-operative tests. The Holy Father was in the operating theatre for approximately three hours; the operation itself lasted about ninety minutes. The operation was successful and there were no complications. Following the operation, the Pope woke up normally and, after a brief period of observation, returned to his room on the tenth floor.
The Vatican described the surgery as successful and said no complications occurred. Pope Leo woke normally after the procedure and returned to his room on the hospital’s 10th floor after a short observation period.
Professor Stefano Margaritora led the surgical team. He was assisted by Professor Elisa Meacci, Dr Maria Teresa Congedo and Dr Leonardo Petracca Caravella. Professor Massimo Antonelli headed the anaesthesia team, alongside Dr Giovanni Punzo and Dr Giuseppe Bello.
What lung adenocarcinoma means
Adenocarcinoma is a cancer that begins in glandular cells, which are found in the lining of many organs. It can develop in areas including the lungs, breast, pancreas, stomach, prostate, oesophagus and the colon or rectum.
In the lungs, adenocarcinoma is among the most common forms of cancer. Symptoms can vary and may not always be immediately apparent. A persistent cough is often an early sign, while some people may also experience mucus production, traces of blood when coughing, breathlessness, chest discomfort, wheezing or hoarseness.
Symptoms alone cannot establish a diagnosis, as they may be linked to many other conditions. Medical imaging, tissue testing and specialist assessment are used to determine whether a lung nodule is cancerous and to guide treatment decisions. In the Pope’s case, examination of tissue during the operation confirmed the diagnosis that pre-operative tests had indicated.
Hospital recovery and cancelled engagements
Before entering Gemelli hospital, Pope Leo left the Vatican shortly before 1 pm in a black SUV and waved from the vehicle. His convoy travelled about 9 kilometres north to the hospital. On arrival, he greeted officials, walked past well-wishers and entered through the main entrance.
The Vatican had anticipated that the Pope would spend about a week recovering in hospital. His planned public events through October 20 have been cancelled, giving him time for post-operative care and medical monitoring.
Pope Leo has not been known to smoke or to have suffered recent illnesses. His next scheduled international journey is an 11-day visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, planned for November 6 to 17. Whether that itinerary proceeds will depend on his recovery and medical advice in the weeks ahead.
A period of close medical follow-up
Removal of a lung lobe is a significant thoracic procedure, and recovery commonly involves monitoring breathing, pain control, mobility and the healing of surgical sites. The video-assisted method used in the Pope’s operation is designed to allow surgeons to work through smaller incisions than traditional open chest surgery, though every patient’s recovery needs are individual.
The Vatican’s statement focused on the immediate outcome: the operation was completed without complications, the diagnosis was confirmed, and the Pope was awake and back in his hospital room. Further updates are expected to clarify his recovery timetable and the effect, if any, on his forthcoming commitments.
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