The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Leo XIV's surgery to remove a lung nodule was completed "successfully, on schedule and as planned." The 71-year-old pontiff returned to his room at Rome's Gemelli hospital following the procedure, according to a statement from the Vatican spokesman.
Surgery details and prayers
Earlier in the day, Leo walked into the hospital through the main entrance and waved to dozens of well-wishers who had gathered to greet him. The surgery was performed by a team led by Gemelli's chief thoracic surgeon, Dr Stefano Margaritora.
As the operation got under way Tuesday evening, medical staff recited the Rosary prayer in the hospital chapel. "Let us join together in prayer, asking the Lord to sustain our bishop, Pope Leo, and to comfort all those who are hospitalised here," said the Vicar of Rome, Cardinal Baldassare Reina, at the start of the prayer.
Transparency and prognosis
The American pontiff has offered a rare level of transparency about the first publicly disclosed major health problem of his 17-month papacy. He revealed the discovery of the small, localised nodule during his Sunday noon prayer and announced that he would have it removed.
Oncologists say even if the nodule turns out to be cancerous, Leo's prognosis is "excellent" since it will have been removed at an early stage. The surgery, usually performed under general anaesthesia, will require a weeklong hospital stay. The Vatican cancelled all Leo's audiences through until October 20.
