Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma following a surgical operation to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, according to an official medical bulletin released by the Vatican. Medical tests reportedly confirmed the diagnosis, which had already been suspected during preoperative examinations, though authorities provided no specific details regarding the long-term prognosis or treatment plan.

The Vatican stated that the 90-minute procedure supposedly concluded successfully without any immediate complications. The 71-year-old pontiff has returned to his private room at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where he is expected to remain under observation for approximately one week. Consequently, all scheduled papal audiences through October 20 have been cancelled.

The Holy See’s press office noted that the radical removal of the lung lobe was intended to excise all suspect tissue in an effort to eliminate lingering traces of the disease. Physicians are reportedly withholding decisions on chemotherapy or alternative therapies pending the results of further laboratory tests.

The sudden health crisis casts uncertainty over an ambitious Latin America tour scheduled for November, which involves numerous flights and significant altitude changes. Despite the demanding itinerary, the pope previously expressed his intention to press forward with the journey.

Source: www.aljazeera.com