Statue of St. John Paul II in front the Gemelli Hospital in Rome (ANSA)
Pope Leo XIV underwent successful surgery Tuesday, Oct. 13, at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung after discovering a cancerous nodule.
The Vatican confirmed that the 71-year-old pontiff has lung adenocarcinoma, a form of lung cancer. The procedure lasted approximately 90 minutes and was completed without complications. The pope returned to his hospital room following surgery.
Pope Leo had announced Sunday that doctors discovered the nodule during a routine examination and recommended its removal.
Archbishop Jeffrey S. Grob, Archdiocese of Milwaukee, invited all to join him in praying for the Pontiff as he recovers. “We ask for the loving intercession and protection of our Blessed Mother Mary,” he said, “that she may accompany him in his recovery and keep him in her maternal care. May Pope Leo feel the prayers and support of the faithful throughout the world as he continues his ministry to the Church.”
The pope is expected to remain hospitalized for approximately one week. His scheduled audiences have been canceled through Oct. 20.
