Pope Leo XIV Has Lung Cancer, the Vatican Says, After Surgery to Remove Part of His Right Lung

Leo had told the faithful about the problem himself. At his Sunday noon prayer on 11 October he said a small, localized nodule had been found and that he would have it removed. He walked into the hospital through the main entrance on Tuesday and waved to well-wishers.

How is Pope Leo recovering?

The Vatican said blood tests and a chest X-ray showed a normal post-operative course. The pope has begun respiratory physiotherapy, is walking in his room and has resumed a regular diet. He is expected to stay in hospital for about a week from Tuesday. He is in a room at Gemelli near, rather than in, the papal apartment, because that residence is being renovated, the Vatican press office said.

All his audiences have been cancelled through 20 October, and cardinals and aides will handle his duties as needed under Vatican protocol. It is unclear whether a planned trip to South America, scheduled to begin on 6 November, will go ahead. CBS noted that air travel is generally avoided for about three weeks after this kind of procedure.

What does the diagnosis mean?

Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer in the United States, making up about 40 percent of cases, per CBS. Oncologists cited by the AP said before the operation that the outlook would be excellent if the nodule proved cancerous, since it was caught at an early stage. The Vatican has not given a prognosis, though, and Dr. David Jones of Memorial Sloan Kettering told CBS that doctors still need findings on lymph node involvement and the tumor's molecular pathology to know whether further treatment is required.

The pope's message to the public has been brief: he thanked people for their spiritual support and asked for prayers. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he and his wife were united in prayer for him. The next Vatican bulletin, and the pathology details that follow, will show what the coming weeks look like.