Pope Leo XIV diagnosed with lung cancer after successful surgery

Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer after doctors removed the lower part of his right lung in a 90-minute operation at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, the Vatican has said.

The 71-year-old Pope underwent surgery on Tuesday after doctors discovered a growth in his lung during routine medical checks.

According to the Vatican, the operation was successful and there were no complications.

“The operation was successful and there were no complications,” the Vatican said in a medical statement.

The Pope reportedly woke up normally after the operation and returned to his room following a short period of observation.

Doctors removed the entire lower lobe of his right lung to make sure the procedure was complete. Further tests were being carried out to determine whether the cancer had spread to other parts of his body.

The Vatican confirmed that the growth was pulmonary adenocarcinoma, a type of lung cancer that develops in cells that produce mucus and other substances in the lungs.

Before the operation, Pope Leo said the growth had been found at an early stage and that doctors had advised him to have it removed.

The Pope is expected to remain in hospital for about a week. His schedule has been cleared until October 20 to allow him time to recover.

Despite his health problems, the Pope had reportedly felt physically well before the diagnosis. Cardinal Kikuchi Tarcisio Isao of Tokyo said he had met the Pope on Monday and that the pontiff had told him he felt nothing was wrong physically.

 The Pope also reportedly wanted to undergo the operation as soon as possible because he was expected to travel to Latin America in early November. The planned trip includes Peru, where he previously served as a missionary and bishop.

News of the diagnosis has caused concern among Catholics around the world.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said the news had come as a shock.

He described the announcement as a “bolt from the blue” but said cardinals had been encouraged by the Pope’s calm attitude and remained hopeful about his recovery.

Outside Gemelli Hospital, some Catholics gathered to pray for the Pope.

One woman, identified as Carla, told the BBC: “He seems calm, so we are calm too even though illness is always unpleasant.”

Another woman, Elsa, said she had been surprised by the news because she had expected the Pope to be younger and healthier when he was elected.

“It turns out he's vulnerable too,” she said.

The Vatican has not confirmed how long the Pope's recovery will take beyond his expected hospital stay. The results of further tests will help doctors determine the next steps in his treatment.