Pope Leo XIV has successfully undergone surgery to remove a small nodule from his lung, the Vatican has confirmed.
The Holy See Press Office announced the development on Tuesday evening following the pontiff’s operation at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital in Rome.
The 71-year-old Catholic leader underwent the procedure after doctors discovered a localised growth in his lung.
The Vatican described the operation as successful and confirmed that the Pope had returned to his hospital room.
Vatican confirms successful operation
In an official statement, the Holy See said the procedure had gone according to medical expectations.
“The procedure was successfully completed, within the expected time and in the planned manner,” the Vatican stated.
The statement added that further information about the pontiff’s recovery would be released later.
Pope Leo had arrived at the hospital on Tuesday morning, smiling and waving before undergoing the operation.
The Vatican previously described the growth as small and localised.
Pope Leo earlier disclosed lung condition
The pontiff informed Catholics about the planned surgery during his Sunday Angelus address.
He explained that doctors had discovered the nodule at an early stage and recommended removing it.
The announcement prompted prayers and goodwill messages from Catholics around the world.
Although the Vatican confirmed the successful procedure, it did not immediately announce when the Pope would resume his full schedule.
Further medical updates are expected as doctors assess his recovery.
The Vatican has not established that the removed nodule was cancerous, and the successful operation should not be interpreted as confirmation of any specific diagnosis.
