▲ Pope Leo XIV arrives at Rome's Gemelli Hospital for a lung nodule removal surgery on the 13th (local time)
The Vatican announced on the 14th (local time) that Pope Leo XIV spent a peaceful first night following his lung surgery.
According to Vatican News, the official Vatican media outlet, the Pope underwent a surgery the previous day at the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital in Rome, Italy, to resect the lower lobe of his right lung, which lasted about 90 minutes.
While the medical staff told reporters, "We want the Pope to get plenty of rest," some visitors continue to visit his hospital room, the ANSA news agency reported.
The medical staff confirmed a diagnosis of pulmonary adenocarcinoma through a biopsy of the lung nodule discovered during preliminary examinations.
Pulmonary adenocarcinoma refers to cases where cancer cells originate in lung cells that have the function of secreting bodily fluids.
Pulmonary adenocarcinoma accounts for about 40% of all lung cancers, and it is known to have a high proportion among non-smokers who develop lung cancer.
The Associated Press noted that the Vatican's transparent disclosure of everything from the discovery of a nodule in the Pope's lung to his surgical plans broke the traditional veil of secrecy.
Reuters reported that the key question is whether he will be able to proceed with his scheduled tour of South America—including Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru—from November 6 to 17.
Since the itinerary was originally planned as a demanding schedule covering about 50 events and 36 speeches across 10 cities, there are projections that the schedule could be postponed depending on his recovery speed following this surgery.
Pope Leo XIV, 71 this year, is considered to have become Pope at a relatively younger age than his predecessors, and is known to enjoy sports such as tennis with no significant medical history in the past.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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