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Pope Leo XIV diagnosed with lung cancer
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Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer, the Vatican has confirmed.
However, the pontiff has had successful surgery in Rome.
Pope Leo XIV diagnosed with lung cancer
In a medical bulletin, the Vatican said that after a 90-minute long surgery at the Gemelli Hospital, the 71-year-old leader of the Catholic Church had been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma.
In a statement, the Holy See said:"After the operation, the Pope awoke normally and returned after a brief period of observation to his room on the 10th floor.”
This news comes days after a lump was discovered on Pope Leo’s lung during ‘routine checks’.
Huge crowds had earlied gathered to wish the Pope well, with some waiting for hours outside the hospital in Rome.
As he passed by in a car, the window was lowered and those who had traveled were given a glimpse of Leo, who waved back.
Leo himself had announced the news that he was to undergo surgery, speaking during a regular Angelus appearance on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica.
He explained that the growth on his lung was ‘contained’ and had been found ‘at a very early stage’ but would still require surgery.
Leo has received support from around the church and beyond, with cardinals, Catholics, and world leaders wishing him well.
Explaining the surgery before this latest diagnosis, Dr Matthew Triplette, medical director at the Ling Cancer Screening Program, said: "Surgeries to remove a nodule are usually minimally invasive with a low rate of complications,
"If this is cancer, the outcomes are quite good, with a five-year disease-free survival of (more than) 80% for the earliest stages of non-small cell lung cancer.”