Pope Leo

Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery yesterday at the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome for the removal of a malignant tumor in a lung. This morning the Vatican Press Office announced that the Pontiff had a quiet night and further information will be provided throughout the day. Last night the Vatican announced that "it concluded positively", and later the doctors announced that "the extemporaneous histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a lung adenocarcinoma, as suspected by the pre-operative tests". The team also made it known that "to make the operation radical, the lower lobe of the right lung was removed with a video-assisted technique. After the operation the Pope woke up regularly and returned after a short period of observation to his room on the tenth floor".

The surgical team was made up of seven doctors and led by Professor Stefano Margaritora. "We hope that this problem can be resolved as soon as possible. We are confident", said Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, who admitted having learned the news like a bolt from the blue. The routine check-up after the trip to France had revealed a problem that needed to be solved. And the Pope decided that this step had to be taken as soon as possible.

"I would like to express my best wishes to Leo

Meanwhile, during the Italian night, international reactions to the surgery arrived: the interim president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, expressed her wish for a speedy and complete recovery to Pope Leo XIV. The president of Chile, José Antonio Kast, made it known that "our country accompanies the Supreme Pontiff with particular affection in these moments and all the faithful who profess the Catholic religion". In Mexico the local Episcopal Conference invited parishes, families, priests and faithful to pray for the health of Leo XIV, while the archdiocese of Lima said it was "dismayed" by the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma. Finally, Cardinal Daniel Sturla, archbishop of Montevideo, did not rule out that the Pontiff could postpone the visit to Uruguay scheduled for 6 to 8 November.