World · India Bureau
Pope Leo undergoes lung cancer surgery; lower right lobe removed
The Vatican has confirmed that 71-year-old Pope Leo has been diagnosed with lung cancer. Doctors at Rome's Gemelli Hospital successfully removed the lower portion of his right lung during a 90-minute surgical procedure.
LSN India ·
Vatican officials announced on Tuesday that Pope Leo, 71, has undergone surgery for lung cancer at Gemelli Hospital in Rome. The procedure, which lasted approximately 90 minutes, involved the removal of the lower lobe of the pontiff's right lung.
Medical authorities confirmed that the surgical intervention proceeded as planned, with no complications reported during the operation. The diagnosis marks a significant health challenge for the head of the Roman Catholic Church, who has led the Vatican since his election to the papacy.
Details regarding the pontiff's recovery timeline and any subsequent treatment plans were not immediately disclosed by Vatican officials. The hospital's medical team is expected to provide further updates on his condition in the coming days.
The surgery represents the first major health procedure Pope Leo has undergone since assuming his position. The Vatican has indicated that the pontiff's recovery will be closely monitored by specialists at Gemelli Hospital, one of Europe's leading medical institutions.