Vatican says growth on Pope Leo XIV's lung was cancerous

Pope Leo XIV had part of his right lung removed during an operation on Tuesday after doctors found a cancerous growth, according to the Vatican.

"To ensure the procedure was radical, the lower lobe of the right lung was removed," the Vatican said in a statement, whilst also confirming a diagnosis of a "pulmonary adenocarcinoma, as suspected from the pre-operative tests."

"The Holy Father was in the operating room for about 3 hours, and the duration of the operation itself was around 90 minutes. The surgery was successful and there were no complications," a statement said.

The 71-year-old pontiff waved to well-wishers gathered outside the Vatican as he departed for Rome's Gemelli hospital earlier in the day.

The pope announced the surgery on Sunday, the first time a pontiff has made a personal medical announcement of this kind.

The Vatican press office has said doctors expect the pope's recovery to take around a week. That would make it possible for him to leave for his visit to Latin America as planned on 6 November.

The 11-day trip will take him to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, a country close to the pope's heart as he worked there as a missionary for two decades and took on Peruvian citizenship.

What is a pulmonary nodule?

A pulmonary nodule is a small growth of tissue in the lung. Most are benign, meaning they are non-cancerous. But a small percentage can be an early stage of lung cancer.

Most small nodules cause no symptoms and are only discovered during checks for other health issues.

Larger nodules can cause shortness of breath, chest pain and persistent coughing, sometimes with blood.

The operation is normally carried out under general anaesthetic with the patient breathing through a tube.

Where is the operation taking place?

The operation took place at Rome's Gemelli hospital, where popes are usually treated.

Pope Leo XIV's predecessor Francis spent weeks there for treatment before his death last year.

John Paul II, head of the Church from 1978 until his death in 2005, was treated nine times at Gemelli, Rome's largest hospital, and spent a total of 153 days there.

He quipped that the hospital was like "Vatican number three."

The Vatican ultimately created a top-floor apartment at the hospital site, accessed by a long corridor guarded by Italian and Vatican police.

Besides the pope's room, the suite reportedly includes a meeting room for medical staff, a kitchen, bathroom and rest areas.

There is also a small chapel.