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Vatican confirms Pope Leo underwent surgery for lung cancer
DW.com • • world
Key Points:
- Pope Leo XIV underwent a successful three-hour surgery at Rome's Gemelli hospital to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, where a cancerous nodule was found and diagnosed as lung adenocarcinoma.
- The Vatican reported that the pope "woke up normally" after the procedure, and his recovery is expected to take about a week, with an excellent prognosis due to early detection.
- Further tests are being conducted to determine if the cancer has spread, while all of the pope's engagements have been canceled through October 20.
- Pope Leo XIV publicly disclosed his health issue at a prayer service, marking a significant shift toward greater transparency compared to previous pontiffs.
- Despite the surgery, the pope is still expected to proceed with a planned trip to South America in November.
