First Night Without Incidents
The Holy See Press Office released a brief update this morning via its Telegram channel on the health status of Leo XIV: “The Pope has had a quiet night. More information will be provided throughout the day.” The Pontiff remains hospitalized at the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, where he underwent surgery on the afternoon of Tuesday, October 13.
Video-Assisted Lobectomy
According to the medical bulletin released yesterday afternoon, reported by Vatican News, Leo XIV had the lower lobe of his right lung removed using a video-assisted technique. The procedure lasted about 90 minutes, proceeded without complications, and aimed at the complete removal of a pulmonary adenocarcinoma.
This is the first time the Holy See has named the diagnosis. When the Pope announced the operation after the Angelus on Sunday the 11th, he referred to a circumscribed nodule, detected at a very early stage and well localized. Until yesterday, the Vatican had not specified whether the lesion was benign or malignant.
Adenocarcinoma is the most common subtype of lung cancer. Removal of the affected lobe is the standard surgical treatment when the tumor is detected early and localized. Video-assisted surgery is performed through small incisions and usually allows for a faster recovery than open surgery.
What Remains to Be Known
The bulletin does not specify the stage of the tumor. That information, usually determined by the anatomopathological study of the removed specimen, determines whether surgery alone is sufficient or whether complementary therapy is advisable. The expected hospitalization period has also not been changed; spokesperson Matteo Bruni estimated it on Sunday to be around one week.
The main uncertainty on the agenda is the apostolic journey to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, scheduled from November 6 to 17. The Vatican has not announced any changes. Leo XIV, 71, reiterated on Sunday his intention to travel to Peru, the country of which he is a national and where he served as a missionary and bishop of Chiclayo.
The hospitalization does not alter the ordinary governance of the Church, as was the case during Francis’s hospitalizations at the same center. The Press Office has announced further updates throughout the day.