Pope Leo XIV recovering in Rome hospital after surgery for lung cancer

Pope Leo XIV is recovering at Rome's Gemelli hospital after surgery to remove a cancerous nodule from his lung, and the diagnosis has raised questions about his upcoming travel and the length of his papacy.

The Vatican said Thursday that the 71-year-old pope had passed a second calm night in the hospital, where he is expected to stay about a week, according to an Associated Press report carried by News4JAX and KSAT. A brief statement said he had gotten out of bed and eaten breakfast.

The Anchorage Daily News reported that Tuesday's operation removed the nodule along with part of his right lung and was described as successful. The pope has said the cancer was found at a very early stage. On Wednesday, his doctors said blood tests and X-rays were normal for this type of surgery and that he had walked in his room, done respiratory physiotherapy and resumed a regular diet. The AP reported he also celebrated Mass.

Accounts differ slightly on timing. The AP said the cancer diagnosis was announced Tuesday. The Anchorage Daily News reported that Leo disclosed the nodule on Sunday, and that the Vatican confirmed only on Tuesday that earlier tests had pointed to cancer. On Wednesday, the Vatican disclosed three preoperative tests: a robotic bronchoscopy with biopsy, a chest CT scan and a PET scan.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, told journalists Monday he was concerned. "No one expected it. But these are, as the pope said, God's surprises," he said, according to the Anchorage Daily News.

The illness could affect a planned 12-day Latin America tour that includes Peru, where Leo holds citizenship. The Anchorage Daily News reported that Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori said preparations were continuing but that she understood his recovery could take several weeks, which might change the schedule.

Leo, the first U.S.-born pope, was 69 when elected in 2025, younger than his two predecessors. The AP noted he regularly plays tennis and swims. The Anchorage Daily News reported he is not known to have been a smoker and that he has a family history of cancer, including his late mother and an older brother.

The AP reported that the Vatican has not said when Leo learned doctors suspected cancer, and that a biopsy was performed during an earlier, undisclosed hospital visit.

In Wichita, Kansas, KWCH 12 reported that local Catholic clergy were surprised by the news and urged prayers for the pope. A local cardiothoracic surgeon told the station that lung cancer can occur in nonsmokers and stressed the value of early screening.

Compiled by True News from reporting by News4JAX, KSAT, KWCH 12 and Anchorage Daily News. Each outlet's original story is linked below.

Originally published by True News: https://truenews.bagleyenterprises.net/stories/132