Pope Leo XIV has spent a peaceful night in hospital after an operation following his diagnosis with lung cancer, the Vatican has said. The diagnosis came after an operation which saw doctors remove a growth from the 71-year-old’s right lung.
An examination of the nodule during the operation led doctors to confirm that the religious leader had adenocarcinoma. The surgery was performed at the Policlinico A. Gemelli hospital in Rome.
Vatican update after first night
The Holy See Press Office says Pope Leo XIV had a calm first night in Rome's Gemelli Hospital. “The night passed calmly for the Pope. Further information will be provided later today,” the Holy See Press Office said on Wednesday, the morning after Pope Leo underwent a successful lung operation with no complications.
The Vatican said there were currently no plans for the Pope to begin chemotherapy or other therapies. The Vatican previously said Leo will spend about a week in hospital recovering from the operation.
Doctors' statement after operation
Dr Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora issued the following statement after the pope's operation: “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 surgical team was led by Professor Stefano Margaritora, assisted by Professor Elisa Meacci, Dr Maria Teresa Congedo and Dr Leonardo Petracca Caravella. The anaesthesia team consisted of Professor Massimo Antonelli, Dr Giovanni Punzo and Dr Giuseppe Bello.
World leaders send well wishes
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took to X to send well wishes to the pope, wishing Pope Leo “a successful surgery and a swift, full recovery.” “Our thoughts and prayers are with him, and we hope he will soon be back in good health and strength,” Zelenskyy wrote. “Ukraine is deeply grateful to His Holiness for his prayers and his strong, consistent calls for a dignified and durable peace.”
In a brief message posted to X, Israeli President Isaac Herzog wrote: “From the holy city of Jerusalem, I wish Pope Leo XIV a full and speedy recovery.” Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela also extended “prayers and best wishes” to the pope for “a successful procedure and a complete recovery.”
Pope Leo also received prayers from Anglican Archbishop Sarah Mullaly of Canterbury, who said she was “holding Pope Leo XIV in my prayers over these coming days, asking for God’s protection, closeness and care.”
Italian President Sergio Mattarella published a letter to Pope Leo saying that the news of his surgery “was received with deep empathy and emotion by all the Italian people.” “In view of your hospitalization in the coming days, may the affectionate thoughts of all Italians reach you, which I convey while adding my own personal sentiments,” Mattarella wrote. “The Italian people stand close to you.”
What is adenocarcinoma?
During his Sunday noon prayer, Leo revealed doctors had discovered a small nodule on his lung, adding that he would have it removed. Lung adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer, developing in cells that produce mucus, usually in the outer parts of the lungs. It is a form of non-small cell lung cancer, and treatment depends on factors including how far the cancer has spread.
Oncologists previously said that even if the growth proved to be cancerous, Leo's prognosis was “excellent” as the nodule was removed at an early stage.
Cardinal Kikuchi Tarcisio Isao of Tokyo said that the pope had said he felt “nothing wrong” physically during a meeting on Monday. He said Leo had chosen to check in for surgery as soon as possible due to a scheduled trip to Latin America in early November which he was keen not to miss.
Churches across the world prayed for the pope yesterday as he underwent the surgery. An evening rosary was held in the chapel of the hospital, presided over by Cardinal Baldassarre Reina, papal vicar of Rome. Churches and religious communities across Rome were also invited to pray the rosary, Vatican Radio reported. Vatican News reported that churches in several countries are celebrating Mass, including the pope's hometown of Chicago at St. Mary of the Angels Church and his former diocese in Chiclayo, Peru, where its cathedral held a Mass for him.
Archbishop Richard Moth, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, said on Sunday that he had sent a message to the 71-year-old American pontiff as he prepared for his surgery. He said: “We pray that following the procedure and a period of recovery, he will soon be restored to health. I have sent a message on behalf of all in the Catholic Church in England and Wales, assuring him of our prayers.”
