He had surgery: Pope Leo 14 was diagnosed with lung cancer

In the written statement made by the Vatican, it was stated that the Pope underwent surgery yesterday as planned and said, "The lower lobe of the right lung was removed by performing video-assisted radical surgery. As suspected in the pre-operative tests, the histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma."

It was reported that the Pope stayed in the operating room for approximately 3 hours, and the surgery lasted approximately 90 minutes and was successful.

It was noted that after the surgery, the Pope woke up normally and returned to his room on the 10th floor after a short observation period.

Pope Leo 14 was admitted to Gemelli Hospital yesterday at noon.

In the first statement made by the Vatican yesterday evening, it was emphasized that the Pope's surgery was successful.

Before the surgery, the Vatican announced that all programs were canceled until October 20 for the Pope's recovery.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY, A POPE ANNOUNCED THAT HE WILL HAVE SURGERY DURING SUNDAY PRAYER

During his traditional Sunday prayer from the window of his office overlooking the Vatican's St. Peter's Square on October 11, Pope Leo XIV said, "Doctors have detected a mass (nodule) in my lung. The doctors believe that intervention is appropriate, and therefore, on their advice, I have decided to have surgery to remove the nodule. The surgery is planned to be performed in the next few days. I thank you for your spiritual closeness and entrust myself to your prayers." He used the expression.

Following this statement, which was considered a "surprise" by the 71-year-old Pope, the Vatican Press Office announced that the recovery period after the operation was expected to last one week.

The Italian press also pointed out that for the first time in history, a Pope transparently announced during his Sunday prayer that he would undergo surgery in the coming days.

In the media reports, it was stated that the Pope decided to have surgery immediately in order not to cancel his South American trip, which included Uruguay, Argentina and Peru on November 6-17.

Following the death of Pope Francis, the previous head of state of the Vatican, on April 21, 2025, the cardinal of the period, American Robert Francis Prevost, who was elected as Pope at the Conclave (Papal Election) on May 8, 2025, in the Vatican, the center of the Catholic Church, took the name "Pope Leo 14".