Pope Leo diagnosed with cancer and had lower lobe of lung removed, Vatican says

Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with cancer and had the lower lobe of his right lung removed during surgery on Tuesday, according to the Vatican.Post-surgery medical bulletin tests verified a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, the Vatican reported. Officials said the condition had been suspected during preoperative screenings and was confirmed during the operation.The 71-year-old pontiff spent around 3 hours inside the operating room, though the surgery itself took approximately 90 minutes. "The surgery was successful, and there were no complications," the statement said.Pope Leo has been diagnosed with cancer after lung surgery on Tuesday (Getty)Earlier in the day, Leo walked into Rome’s Gemelli hospital through its main entrance, waving to dozens of well-wishers gathered to greet him. The Vatican stated the operation was conducted by a medical team led by Dr. Stefano Margaritora, Gemelli’s chief thoracic surgeon.The American pontiff has shown a rare level of transparency regarding the first publicly disclosed major health issue of his 17-month papacy. He revealed the discovery of the small, localized nodule during his Sunday noon prayer and announced his decision to have it removed.Prior to the procedure, oncologists noted that even if the growth proved to be cancerous, Leo’s prognosis is "excellent" because it would be removed at an early stage.The Vatican on Monday canceled all of Leo’s audiences through Oct. 20 due to his recovery.Although Gemelli features a designated papal apartment complete with a private chapel on the 10th floor used by past popes, Leo will actually stay in a nearby room while the papal apartment undergoes renovations, the Vatican press office said.This is a breaking story - more to follow