Pope Leo XIV recovers overnight after lung cancer surgery

The Vatican announced that Pope Leo XIV underwent a 90-minute video-assisted thoracic operation on Tuesday to remove a malignant nodule from the lower lobe of his right lung. The procedure, led by Dr. Stefano Margaritora, chief thoracic surgeon at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, was completed as planned and the pontiff was transferred to a recovery room on the tenth floor after a brief observation period.

The 71-year-old American pope was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, a form of non-small cell lung cancer, after a routine check detected the lump. The Vatican said further details on treatment and the extent of the disease would be provided later.

Archbishop Ronald Hicks of New York City thanked God for the successful surgery and expressed wishes for the pope’s continued recovery. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his wife also said they were praying for the pontiff, while German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier wished him a speedy and full recovery, noting the pope’s influence on global issues.

The pope had recently addressed a large outdoor mass in Paris, warning about the risks of artificial intelligence, and was scheduled for a two-week visit to South America, though the trip’s status remains uncertain.