The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer, following a "successful" operation to remove the lower lobe of his right lung.
Doctors confirmed the diagnosis in a statement regarding the pontiff's pre-planned procedure on Tuesday evening. The update from Dr Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora revealed that cancer had been suspected following pre-operative tests.
Surgery proceeded as scheduled
The Pope's lung surgery proceeded "as scheduled", according to the statement, with the lower lobe of his right lung removed during an operation lasting approximately 90 minutes. The Pope spent around three hours in the operating theatre and experienced no complications throughout the procedure.
The doctors stated: "Following the operation, the Pope woke up normally and, after a brief period of observation, returned to his room on the tenth floor."
Prayers from England and Wales
Archbishop Richard Moth, leader of Catholics in England and Wales, confirmed on Sunday that he had sent a message to the 71-year-old American pontiff ahead of his surgery. He said: "I have sent a message on behalf of all in the Catholic Church in England and Wales, assuring him of our prayers."
Pope Leo XIV spent a tranquil night in the Gemelli hospital in Rome following the operation and the confirmed cancer diagnosis, the Vatican said in a statement on Wednesday.
Meeting with Archbishop of Canterbury
Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullally described her encounter with Pope Leo in April as a "privilege". Dame Sarah, the first woman to hold the top ministry role in the Church of England, said their meeting at the Vatican held great significance "regardless of me being a woman".
The pair of religious leaders prayed together and exchanged their "desire to see peace and reconciliation and justice in the world", according to the archbishop.
Among the gifts presented to the Pope by Dame Sarah was a jar of honey produced from nectar from beehives in Lambeth Palace Garden in London, described by her office as "a simple and hospitable token, rooted in place and daily life". Pope Leo remarked "still a nurse" as Dame Sarah handed it to him, a nod to her former career as chief nurse of England.
