According to a statement from his medical team, surgeons removed the lower lobe of the Pope’s right lung using a minimally invasive technique. The operation lasted approximately 90 minutes.
“The Holy Father underwent thoracic surgery as scheduled,” Dr. Luigi Carbone and professor Stefano Margaritora said in a statement. “The lower lobe of the right lung was removed using video-assisted surgery.”
The Vatican subsequently described the procedure as “successful,” announcing Tuesday evening that it had concluded “according to plan.” Leo “has returned to his room,” the statement said.
While the successful completion of surgery represents an important step in his treatment, the confirmed cancer diagnosis adds a significant medical concern to the Pope’s recovery. Further details about any additional treatment have not been provided in the information released by the Vatican.
Pope Revealed Lung Concern Before Surgery
The news of the diagnosis followed a disclosure Leo made just two days earlier while addressing the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his Sunday address.
The pontiff revealed that doctors had identified a “nodule” on his lung and recommended its removal. At the time, he indicated that the abnormal growth had been discovered early and remained limited in scope.
According to Leo, the growth had been detected “at a very early stage” and was “well-contained.”
Those earlier remarks provided a glimpse into the medical issue before laboratory testing confirmed the nature of the tissue removed during surgery.
The diagnosis is pulmonary adenocarcinoma, a common type of lung cancer. The condition develops in glandular cells within the lungs and falls under the broader category of non-small cell lung cancer.
The Vatican has not publicly provided enough clinical information to establish the precise stage of Leo’s cancer or determine what his long-term treatment plan will involve. The early discovery described by the Pope is a relevant detail, but it does not, by itself, establish an individual patient’s prognosis.
The hospital stay is also notable because it marks the first time Leo has been hospitalized during his pontificate.
For now, the immediate priority is his post-operative recovery. Vatican officials previously indicated that the expected recovery period would be approximately one week, although the Pope’s public schedule has been adjusted to allow him additional time away from official engagements.
Doctor Previously Discussed Outcomes for Early-Stage Lung Cancer
Before the Vatican confirmed the diagnosis, pulmonary and critical care specialist Dr. Matthew Triplette discussed the general outlook for patients who undergo surgery to remove lung nodules.
Speaking to CNN before the Pope’s cancer diagnosis was confirmed, Triplette explained that such procedures often involve a relatively short hospital stay, followed by continued recovery at home.
“These surgeries to remove the nodule are usually minimally invasive with a low rate of complications,” Triplette told CNN before the Pope’s diagnosis was confirmed. “If this is cancer, the outcomes are quite good, with a 5-year disease free survival of (more than) 80% for the earliest stages of non-small cell lung cancer.”
The specialist’s comments offered general medical context about surgical treatment for early-stage lung cancer. However, the figures he cited should not be interpreted as a personalized prediction for Leo.
An individual prognosis depends on several factors, including the cancer’s stage, the characteristics of the tumor, whether it has spread and the patient’s overall health. The Vatican’s announcement confirmed the diagnosis but did not disclose all the medical details necessary to determine those factors.
Consequently, the Pope’s recovery and any further treatment decisions will depend on information that has not yet been made public.
The distinction is important as news of the diagnosis circulates internationally. Although the Pope previously described the growth as limited and detected early, his medical team has not released a comprehensive assessment of his expected long-term outcome.
A Hospital Familiar to Generations of Popes
The location of Leo’s treatment carries its own historical significance.
Agostino Gemelli University Policlinic, a private hospital in northwest Rome, has treated multiple popes over the years. Its medical staff and facilities have played an important role in caring for pontiffs facing serious health challenges.
Pope Francis, Leo’s predecessor, spent an extended period at the hospital early last year while battling pneumonia.
Gemelli also maintains a dedicated papal suite on its 10th floor, reflecting the institution’s longstanding connection to the Vatican.
Pope John Paul II was a frequent patient there. He famously referred to the hospital as “Vatican three,” placing it alongside St. Peter’s Basilica and the papal residence at Castel Gandolfo as one of the locations closely associated with his life and responsibilities.
The hospital’s experience treating pontiffs has made it a familiar destination whenever a Pope requires specialized medical attention.
For Leo, the immediate challenge is recovering from surgery while his medical team evaluates the implications of the confirmed diagnosis.
Public Schedule Suspended During Recovery
Leo’s decision to suspend public appearances through October 20 gives him time to recover from the operation without the demands of his usual schedule.
The Pope’s role involves regular public addresses, religious ceremonies, meetings with Church officials and engagements with visiting dignitaries. A temporary pause in those responsibilities allows him to concentrate on his health while doctors monitor his progress.
The Vatican has confirmed that the surgery was completed as planned and that Leo returned to his hospital room. However, the public has not yet received a full account of his recovery or a detailed outline of the next steps in his treatment.
For Catholics worldwide, the coming days will bring further interest in official updates about his condition and the possibility of his return to public duties.
The confirmed cancer diagnosis is a serious development, but the available information also includes several important details: doctors identified the lung abnormality before surgery, the Pope described it as well-contained, and surgeons completed the procedure according to plan.
Those facts provide context without settling the larger questions surrounding his recovery.
For now, Leo remains focused on recuperation following the removal of the lower lobe of his right lung. The Vatican’s next medical updates are likely to be closely watched as the pontiff begins the next stage of his treatment and recovery.
