The Vatican announced that Pope Leo has been diagnosed with lung cancer and underwent successful surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung.
In its statement, the Holy See said the surgical procedure — the removal of a lung’s lower lobe, a procedure commonly called a lobectomy — was carried out successfully. The Vatican attributed the diagnosis and the operation to its internal medical services.
Church officials have not provided further medical details about the pope’s condition, including whether additional treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy are planned, or a timetable for his recovery. The Vatican typically issues follow-up bulletins on the pope’s health as new information becomes available.
The health of the pope is closely watched by Catholics and governments around the world because it can affect his public engagements and the administration of the Roman Catholic Church. The Vatican’s announcement is likely to prompt further statements and updates in the days ahead as the pope recovers and his medical team assesses next steps.