The pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing surgery this Tuesday, October 13, at the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome. According to the medical bulletin released by the Vatican, specialists have confirmed that the Pontiff suffers from pulmonary adenocarcinoma, which necessitated the removal of the lower lobe of the right lung.
The Holy See has reported that the operation has concluded successfully and without complications. The Pope remained in the operating room for approximately three hours, although the actual procedure lasted about 90 minutes.
The diagnosis has been confirmed through a histological analysis performed during the operation, which allowed for the determination of the nature of the nodule previously detected. Preoperative examinations had already raised suspicions that it could be a malignant tumor.
The Pope is recovering from the operation at the Gemelli hospital
The intervention was led by thoracic surgeon Stefano Margaritora, a specialist in minimally invasive techniques, accompanied by a team of professionals from the Gemelli Polyclinic.
The doctors resorted to a video-assisted surgery technique to remove the lower lobe of the right lung. According to the medical statement, the goal of this intervention was to achieve complete removal of the lesion.
After the operation, Leo XIV woke up without difficulties and returned to his room after a period of observation. The Vatican spokesman, Matteo Bruni, explained that the Pontiff was sufficiently recovered to request dinner.
Bruni also noted that it will be up to the specialists to determine whether he needs additional treatments and how his recovery will continue. For the moment, no definitive therapeutic plan has been communicated.
At least seven days of hospitalization
The Pontiff arrived at the Gemelli Polyclinic shortly after 1:00 PM this Tuesday. Upon his arrival, numerous patients, healthcare workers, and citizens were in the vicinity of the hospital to show their support.
Leo XIV walked into the hospital and was received by his personal doctor, Luigi Carbone, and by officials of the healthcare center. During the intervention, the commander of the Pontifical Gendarmerie, Gianluca Gauzzi Broccoletti, was also present.
The doctors had indicated before the operation that the hospitalization could be extended for at least seven days, although its definitive duration will depend on the patient's evolution.
One of the pending issues is whether the Pope will be able to participate in the Angelus prayer next Sunday. It has not yet been confirmed whether he will be able to do so from the hospital or if it will be necessary to modify his schedule.
The Vatican asks to follow the official medical information
The Secretary of State of the Holy See, Pietro Parolin, had acknowledged this Tuesday his concern for the health status of the Pontiff. As he explained, he met with León XIV the night before and found him "very serene."
For his part, the Spaniard Luis Marín de San Martín, prefect of the Dicastery for Charity, has conveyed a message of support to the Pope and has asked to follow the official communications from the Vatican "without dramatism."
Lung adenocarcinoma is a variety of non-small cell lung cancer and one of the most common types of this disease. The prognosis will depend, among other factors, on the stage of the tumor, the definitive anatomical-pathological results, and the evolution after the surgery, aspects on which details have not yet been provided.
The Holy See will have to communicate in the coming days how León XIV is evolving and what consequences his recovery will have on the institutional and religious activities planned in his schedule.