Pope Leo XIV Undergoes Successful Lung Resection After Cancer Diagnosis: "No Complications"

Removed the lower lobe of the right lung, about one-third its size, in 90-minute surgery
Major decisions postponed; South Africa visit to proceed as scheduled

Pope Leo XIV has undergone surgery for lung cancer.

Pope Leo XIV (center). Yonhap News

According to Reuters on the 13th local time, after being diagnosed with lung cancer, Leo underwent surgery that afternoon at Agostino Gemelli University Hospital in Rome, Italy, to remove the lower lobe of his right lung.

The surgery lasted 90 minutes. The removed lobe was about one-third the size of the right lung. The Vatican said, "The surgery was successful," adding that "there were no complications."

During the week of recovery, Leo is expected to undergo post-operative tests and a biopsy. He has canceled all engagements, including audiences, through the 20th, and routine decisions will be handled by the Vatican. Only major decisions requiring the pope's approval will be postponed. The Vatican said his visit to South America in November would go ahead as scheduled.

Leo, who is 71 this year, was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, which accounts for about 40% of all lung cancer cases. The cancer develops in lung cells that produce fluid, and adenocarcinoma is known to make up a high proportion of lung cancer cases among nonsmokers. The Vatican has not commented on Leo's smoking history.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the five-year relative survival rate for lung cancer is around 30%. Survival rates vary widely depending on the stage of the cancer and the patient's health. Leo enjoys sports such as tennis and is not known to have had any significant medical history.

To assess Leo's exact condition, doctors will need to determine the size of the removed tumor and whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. Stephen Liu, a hematology-oncology professor at Georgetown University, told Reuters, "If the lung cancer is small and has not spread to the lymph nodes, surgery offers a good chance of a cure." He added, "The prognosis could be poor if the final analysis shows that the cancer has spread extensively."

Leo drew attention as the first American pope when he took office in May last year. Recently, he has voiced strong criticism of the war in Iran, expressed concern about the harmful effects of artificial intelligence (AI), and condemned the United States' announcement of a live broadcast of an execution by firing squad, saying it was "unacceptable." His active opposition to war has also led to him being mentioned as a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.