BREAKING UPDATE: Vatican reveals Pope Leo has lung cancer

Pope Leo XIV entered Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday for surgery that removed a nodule from his lungs. The operation was to determine if the mass is malignant or if more treatment will be needed. The operation was planned in advance, and it was successful. The Holy See Press Office revealed later in the day that cancer was found during the planned surgery, and the lower lobe of the Pope’s right lung was removed.

“As planned, the Holy Father underwent thoracic surgery. To ensure a radical resection, the lower lobe of his right lung was removed using a video-assisted technique. An intraoperative histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, as suspected from the preoperative examinations.”

“The Holy Father was in the operating room for approximately three hours; the operation itself lasted about 90 minutes. The operation was successful, and there were no complications.”

According to Vatican News, Leo's surgery was conducted by the hospital's thoracic surgery team, which is led by Professor Stefano Margaritora. The nodule in his lung had been found during a routine medical examination. The Pope is expected to remain in the hospital for about a week after the surgery, which is typically performed under general anesthesia. The Pope canceled all appearances through October 20.

The Holy See Press Office said, "The surgery was completed successfully, within the expected timeframe and as planned, and the Holy Father has returned to his room. Further information will follow."

As his vehicle entered the hospital grounds at 1:07 pm local time, people gathered and called out greetings to the leader of the Catholic Church. The Pope also greeted some of the hospital staff in addition to patients and visitors.

Some sisters also went to St. John Paul II Chapel at the hospital where they prayed for the Pope. Elena Beccalli, who is the rector of Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, said that the university was offering prayers for him during Pope Leo's hospital stay.

“As he is admitted to the hospital, we accompany him with our prayers, mindful of the close bond between our university and the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital Foundation," she told reporters. "We are also deeply grateful for his teaching, which urges us to place the dignity of every person at the center and to build dialogue and peace.”

Pope Leo revealed that he had the lesion on Sunday afternoon and said he had decided that he would be going forward with immediate treatment to address the issue.