The 71-year-old pontiff was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday after doctors discovered a growth in his lung during a recent medical examination.
A Vatican medical bulletin confirmed that tissue tests carried out during the operation revealed lung adenocarcinoma, following earlier suspicions based on pre-operative assessments.
According to the bulletin, the procedure was performed using a video-assisted surgical technique by a team led by Stefano Margaritora, head of thoracic surgery at Gemelli Hospital.
“To make the procedure curative, the lower lobe of the right lung was removed using a video-assisted technique,” the bulletin said, quoting Margaritora.
It added that a rapid histological examination conducted during the operation confirmed the diagnosis.
The Vatican had initially announced that the surgery was successful, later providing further details about the pontiff’s condition. The operation lasted approximately 90 minutes and was completed without complications, according to the report.
Leo reportedly regained consciousness normally after the procedure and was resting in his hospital room. The Vatican said he was expected to remain in hospital for about a week, while all his public engagements had been cancelled until 20 October.
The development follows the pope’s announcement during his weekly Angelus address on Sunday that doctors had detected a lung nodule during recent medical examinations and recommended its removal.
Addressing worshippers gathered in St Peter’s Square, Leo said the growth had been detected at an early stage and was well localised. He also confirmed that he had decided to follow his doctors’ recommendations.
“The doctors believe that it is best to intervene, so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to remove it. The operation is already scheduled to take place in the coming days,” the pontiff said in a statement published on the Vatican News website.
Leo was elected head of the Catholic Church in May 2025 following the death of Pope Francis, becoming the first American to hold the papacy.
