Pope Leo XIV undergoes successful lung surgery

Gemelli Hospital front entrance with statue of St John Paul II - Wiki image by Sergio D'Afflitto

Source: Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV underwent thoracic surgery at Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday afternoon, as planned, according to a statement from Dr Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora released by the Holy See Press Office.

The surgeons removed the lower lobe of the Pope's right lung. "To ensure a radical resection, the lower lobe of the right lung was removed using a video-assisted technique," the statement said.

Tissue examined during the operation confirmed the diagnosis suspected from tests conducted beforehand.

"An intraoperative histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, as suspected from the preoperative examinations," the doctors said.

The Pope was in the operating room for approximately three hours, while the operation itself lasted about 90 minutes. The doctors said it was successful and there were no complications.

Pope Leo awoke normally after surgery and, following a brief period of observation, returned to his room on the hospital's 10th floor, according to the statement.

Professor Margaritora led the surgical team, assisted by Professor Elisa Meacci, Dr Maria Teresa Congedo, and Dr Leonardo Petracca Ciavarella.

The anesthesia team comprised Professor Massimo Antonelli, Dr Giovanni Punzo, and Dr Giuseppe Bello.

In the coming days, post-operation exams will be conducted on the removed tissue.

No change has been communicated regarding the previously announced hospitalisation time of one week. On Wednesday morning the Holy See Press Office will provide an update on how the Pope spent the night and any exam results that have come through.

Following the operation, Pope Leo was served dinner in his room and spent the evening in the company of his secretaries and other Vatican staff.