Posted on 10/13/2026 3:33:32 PM PDT by JSM_Liberty
Pope Leo XIV underwent a procedure at Agostino Gemelli University Hospital in Rome to remove a small nodule on his lung Tuesday, the Vatican said.
The 71-year-old pontiff underwent thoracic surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung and doctors confirmed he had lung adenocarcinoma, a form of lung cancer, according to a statement released by the Holy See Press Office.
The diagnosis was confirmed through a tissue examination conducted during the operation, consistent with findings from preoperative tests, the Vatican said.
The pope spent approximately three hours in the operating room, although the surgery itself lasted about 90 minutes.
Doctors said the procedure was successful and there were no complications.
Leo awoke normally following surgery and, after a brief observation period, returned to his room on the hospital's 10th floor, according to the statement from Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora.
"Doctors found a small lump in the lung," Leo said after an Angelus address at St. Peter's Square on Monday. "It was identified at a very early stage and well situated."
"The doctors consider it appropriate to intervene and so, following their advice, I decided to have surgery to remove it," he continued. "The surgery is already scheduled for the next few days. I thank you for your spiritual closeness and I rely on your prayer."
The Vatican's latest statement confirmed that the surgery involved the removal of the lower lobe of the pope's right lung using a video-assisted technique. The announcement comes as a surprise for the American-born pontiff, who has no previously known health problems and is known for maintaining an active lifestyle.
Leo regularly plays tennis and swims at the papal summer retreat in Castel Gandolfo, according to The Associated Press.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
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Thank you very much and God bless you,
Jim
Wish him the best.
According to what I heard on FOX, it seems to have been found early, and hopefully the prognosis is good.
Lung cancer CAN be one of “those” diseases.
Pity, he does occasionally say the right thing
Prayers for a successful surgery and recovery.
Prayers for a successful surgery and recovery.
May he have a successful recovery and outcome.
Adenocarcinoma is a slower-growing, non-small cell lung cancer originating in mucus-producing cells.
The nodule "was determined to be pulmonary adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer. ...
... It’s a form of non-small cell lung cancer, and it usually grows and spreads to other parts of the body more slowly than small cell lung cancer does."
He has some of the best medical care anywhere, and if they caught it early and it hasn’t spread, he has a very high chance of recovery.
Lots of if’s with cancer though.
I had that same surgery at Duke University Hospital. . It’s called VATS, for video assisted thoracic surgery.
They removed the lower lobe of my left lung due to a golf ball sized lung cancer tumor.
Problem was, I didn’t want to return after surgery. The surgeon told me that I fought them when they were removing the tubes as they were taking me off the ventilator. They removed them anyway and I refused to start breathing, so they put me back on the ventilator.
Five hours later, I awoke in the ICU with the surgeon leaning over me, explaining what happened. I immediately thanked him for the extra five hours in Heaven.
Too bad they gave me Midazolam/versed to block the memory recall. It took me four days to recall the Love and Bliss my soul experienced duringthe surgery.
All the best to him! There are effective drugs for various types of lung cancer as well.
“Pity, he does occasionally say the right thing.
Broken clock, twice a day, yada yada...
CC
Amen.
May he spend the remaining time of his life in peace and repentance.
I prayed this morning more than once for his surgery to be successful and him to recover fully.
My honest caring and compassion exists alongside my hatred for political opponents. A Gemini duality.
Isn’t there a pill for lung cancer now? I’d be curious if he ends up on it as a preventative and how that goes.
This man and his predecessor destroyed my church. This is divine judgement.
God will not be mocked.
That’s an amazing story!
Thanks for sharing.
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