Pope Leo XIV undergoes successful lung surgery

According to a statement from the Holy See Press Office, the surgery was performed as planned on Tuesday afternoon (local time). The procedure involved the removal of the lower lobe of the Pope's right lung using a video-assisted technique.

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 statement read.

The Holy See Press Office said the Pope spent approximately three hours in the operating room, while the operation itself lasted about 90 minutes.

The operation was successful, and there were no complications, the statement added.

According to Vatican News, Pope Leo awoke normally following the surgery and returned to his room on the hospital's 10th floor after a brief period of observation.

The surgical team was led by Professor Stefano Margaritora, assisted by Professor Elisa Meacci, Dr Maria Teresa Congedo and Dr Leonardo Petracca Ciavarella. The anaesthesia team comprised Professor Massimo Antonelli, Dr Giovanni Punzo and Dr Giuseppe Bello.

Vatican News reported that further examinations of the removed tissue would be conducted in the coming days. Preoperative tests had already helped doctors determine the location of the affected tissue and the surgical approach required.

No change has been announced to the previously stated hospitalisation period of one week.

Following the operation, Pope Leo asked for dinner and spent the evening with his secretaries and other Vatican staff, according to Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office, as reported by Vatican News.

Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital in Rome is a major medical facility that has previously provided treatment to popes. (ANI)