Pope Leo XIV’s surgery to remove a “small, localized nodule” from his lung was successful and he has returned to his room at the Gemelli Hospital, according to the Holy See Press Office.
“The surgery was completed successfully, within the expected timeframe and as planned, and the Holy Father has returned to his room. Further information will follow.”
The Holy See Press Office issued the statement on Tuesday evening, October 13, following Pope Leo XIV’s surgery at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.
The 71-year-old pontiff was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital for surgery on Tuesday after the lump was detected during what the Vatican has described as "routine checks".
"The operation concluded successfully, on time and as expected, and the Holy Father returned to his room," the Vatican said in a statement.
Earlier, large crowds gathered outside the hospital to greet the Pope, with some waiting for several hours.
They cheered greetings and well wishes as he passed, while he waved and smiled back through the lowered back window of his car.
He was then met by staff on the hospital steps. "I'm sorry," one of them commiserated, to which the Pope gave a smile and a shrug. "We're here for you," he was assured.
It was Leo XIV himself who on Sunday announced news of his operation to the world, speaking from the balcony in St Peter's Square after delivering the traditional Angelus blessing.
He said the nodule, or growth, on his lung was "contained" and had been found "at a very early stage", but that doctors had advised him to have it removed.
Gemelli's thoracic surgery team operated on the Pope, whose schedule has already been cleared until October 20 to give him time to recover.
Cancer found after Pope had part of his lung removed during 'successful' surgery
Sky News reported later that the Vatican has confirmed the pontiff had a lower lobe of his right lung removed during the procedure which was described as successful and which went as planned.
It said an examination of the lung revealed a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer.
The operation lasted around 90 minutes, said the Vatican.
It is the first major health issue of his 17-month tenure.
