Pope Leo diagnosed with cancer as doctors remove lobe of lung, Vatican says

Pope Leo’s surgery on Tuesday to remove a small growth on one of his lungs went successfully and as planned, the Vatican said, about seven hours after the pontiff was hospitalised for the first major health issue of his 17-month tenure.

Leo, 71, was treated at Rome’s Gemelli hospital for the removal of the small nodule, which the pontiff said on Sunday had ‌been spotted early during a recent check-up.

“The procedure was completed successfully, within the expected time frame and as planned,” said a brief Vatican statement issued late on Tuesday that did not offer further details.

The Vatican said earlier that the procedure was led by the Gemelli’s chief thoracic surgeon, Professor Stefano Margaritora.