Pope Leo XIV Had a “Good Night” and Was Up Eating After Lung Cancer Surgery, Vatican Says
The Vatican said Pope Leo XIV had a good night in the hospital and was up eating breakfast Thursday, two days after surgery that found lung cancer and removed the lower lobe of his right lung.
Pope Leo XIV had a “good night” in the hospital and was up eating breakfast Thursday, the Vatican said, two days after surgery that led doctors to diagnose him with lung cancer.
The 71-year-old pontiff underwent a 90-minute procedure on Oct. 13 to remove a small lung nodule that doctors had found in a recent health checkup. During the operation, doctors discovered adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer, and removed the lower lobe of his right lung. The Vatican said the surgery was completed successfully and that Leo’s recovery is progressing normally. It was the first major procedure of his papacy.
Adenocarcinoma is a form of lung cancer that occurs when lung cells multiply out of control and create a tumor, according to Harvard Health.
Trump sends well wishes
President Donald Trump sent the pontiff well wishes after an Oct. 14 rally in Arizona. Trump told reporters he hopes to see the pope get well, adding that the prognosis seemed to be good.
Leo, the first U.S.-born pope, has been a critic of Trump and has spoken out against the ongoing war in Iran.
Reporting based on coverage by USA TODAY.
