Vatican says: Tumor in Pope Leo's lung is cancerous

The Catholic world's spiritual leader, Pope 14. Leo, was confirmed to have a malignant growth in his lung. According to a health statement released by the Vatican on Tuesday, 13 Ekim, the 71‑year‑old Pope’s lower lobe of the right lung was removed surgically. The operation was reported to have gone well, with no complications.

Operation lasting about 90 minutes

Pre‑operative tests conducted before the surgery at Gemelli Hospital in Rome had indicated that the lung lesion could be cancerous. Examination of tissue taken during the operation confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma. This type of cancer arises from cells that line the inner surfaces of certain organs.

According to the Vatican's statement, the Pope spent about three hours in the operating theatre. The surgical procedure itself lasted roughly 90 minutes. Doctors removed the lower lobe of the right lung using a video‑assisted technique to ensure complete excision of the tumorous tissue.

Returned to Consciousness After Surgery

The Vatican announced that the operation was completed as planned and that the Pope regained normal consciousness after the surgery. Detailed assessments of the Pope's health are expected to continue after he was moved to a room on the hospital's 10th floor.

The Pope had waved to the crowd that greeted him before he went to bed in the hospital and had greeted the hospital staff. The surgery was carried out by a team led by Dr. Stefano Margaritora, head of the thoracic surgery department at Gemelli Hospital.

Programs Canceled Through October 20

The Vatican has canceled all reception and public programs planned for the Pope through October 20. Details on how the medical team will assess his recovery process have not yet been released.

No definitive decision has yet been announced on whether the Pope's planned visit to South America in November will take place. The program is scheduled to visit Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru between November 6 and 17.

The Catholic World Is Following Developments

Following the news about the Pope's health, a prayer service was held in the chapel of Gemelli Hospital in Rome. In addition to the prayer led by Cardinal Baldassare Reina, it was reported that churches and religious communities in Rome were also called to pray for the Pope.

Born in Chicago and elected pope in 2025, the 14th Leo serves as the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church’s roughly 1.4 billion worldwide members. The Vatican, while confirming that the surgery was successful, says it is monitoring developments in the subsequent treatment process and the pope’s planned travels.