In brief
Pope Leo XIV underwent a 90‑minute operation on Tuesday to excise the lower lobe of his right lung after a cancerous nodule was found in an early, well‑contained stage. Doctors report that he is walking, eating a normal diet and that no complications have arisen. He is expected to spend about a week in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital as part of his recovery plan, which includes respiratory physiotherapy and routine blood and X‑ray checks. The pope’s condition has stunned Catholics worldwide, prompting questions about the next steps and the long‑term outlook for a 71‑year‑old pontiff. This live report will be updated as new information becomes available.
Rome – The 71‑year‑old pontiff has started to walk and is eating normally after a 90‑minute operation to remove the lower lobe of his right lung on Tuesday afternoon. Doctors at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital say the procedure was “successful” and that his recovery is “proceeding as expected.”
The Vatican released a brief medical update that confirmed the patient is awake, well‑alert and without signs of infection. Respiratory physiotherapy has already begun, and routine blood work and X‑ray scans on Wednesday indicate a normal healing trajectory.
Earlier this week, Pope Leo XIV had announced his intention to have a tumour removed after doctors detected a well‑contained nodule during his weekly Sunday prayers. Upon examination, the tumour was identified as lung adenocarcinoma, confirming the cancer diagnosis that the pope had hinted at in his speech.
The pope is expected to remain in the hospital for approximately a week. The Vatican will provide further medical updates as the pontiff’s condition evolves.
This development has shaken Catholics around the globe, many of whom recall Pope Francis’s recent hospital stays. The medical teams have praised the early detection of the tumour and the swift surgical response as crucial to the pope’s positive prognosis.
Follow us for live updates, including expert commentary and community responses, as this story unfolds. Stay tuned to RTWire’s live stream for real‑time coverage and an interactive timeline that tracks the recovery milestones of Pope Leo XIV.
