Pope Leo XIV has undergone a successful operation at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung. According to the Holy See Press Office, the procedure took place on Tuesday afternoon and was completed without complications.
The surgery was carried out by a medical team led by Professor Stefano Margaritora, following plans made after earlier examinations identified a suspected lung condition. Doctors used a video-assisted surgical technique to remove the affected section of the lung.
Tissue samples examined during the operation confirmed that the Pope had lung adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer that develops in glandular cells. The diagnosis matched the findings from tests conducted before the procedure, according to a statement issued by the medical team.
The Pope spent approximately three hours in the operating room, although the surgery itself lasted around 90 minutes. Doctors reported that the operation went well and that no complications occurred during the procedure. Following the surgery, Pope Leo woke up normally. He was monitored briefly before being transferred back to his room on the hospital’s 10th floor.
Professor Margaritora led the operation, assisted by Professor Elisa Meacci, Dr Maria Teresa Congedo and Dr Leonardo Petracca Ciavarella. The anaesthesia team included Professor Massimo Antonelli, Dr Giovanni Punzo and Dr Giuseppe Bello.
Doctors will carry out additional tests on the removed tissue in the coming days. These examinations are expected to provide further information following the operation. However, the preoperative assessments had already helped the medical team determine the location of the affected tissue and plan the surgery.
The Vatican has not announced any changes to the Pope’s expected hospital stay, which was previously estimated at one week. The Holy See Press Office is expected to provide another update on Wednesday morning. This announcement may include information about how the Pope spent the night and whether any new examination results are available.
Despite undergoing surgery, Pope Leo was able to spend time with members of his household later that evening. Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office, said the Pope requested dinner after returning to his room.
He subsequently spent the evening with his secretaries and other Vatican staff members. Further updates from the Vatican are expected to clarify the Pope’s recovery and the results of the additional examinations. His progress will be monitored throughout his hospital stay.
