Vatican issues update on Pope Leo's condition after cancer surgery

The Vatican has issued an update on Pope Leo’s condition, following a shock announcement on Tuesday that the 71-year-old pontiff has cancer.Leo, who is the first American-born pope in history, was admitted to hospital in Rome on Tuesday for what the Vatican earlier described as the removal of a lung nodule.Lung nodules are very common, and around 95 per cent turn out to be benign, according to experts.However, following the 90-minute surgery at Gemelli University Hospital, the Vatican said that the pope had been diagnosed with cancer and had the lower lobe of his right lung removed.Tests had confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer, the Vatican said.Pope Leo XIV waves from the window of a car as he leaves the Vatican before being admitted to Rome's Gemelli University Hospital for surgery (AFP/Getty)The diagnosis had been suspected during preoperative tests and was confirmed during surgery.On Wednesday morning, the Vatican said that Leo had spent a peaceful night in hospital.It added that further information about his condition would be released later in the day.The Vatican on Tuesday evening had said that the surgery was successful and there were no complications. Afterwards, Leo was awake and resting in his hospital room.The Vatican has cancelled all of Leo’s audiences for a week while he recovers.The pope is known to be sporty and in good shape, playing tennis weekly and swimming. The lung surgery is believed to be his second spell in hospital.He was also hospitalised in 1985, after coming down with typhoid fever as a young missionary priest in Chulucanas, Peru.More follows. Subscribe here to get the latest updates from The Independent.