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Pope Leo XIV underwent blood tests and a chest X-ray Wednesday following surgery to remove a small nodule on his lung, with his recovery going “as expected,” the Vatican announced.
The development comes after the Holy See Press Office said “the night passed calmly for the Pope” at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.
The 71-year-old pontiff on Tuesday underwent thoracic surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung with doctors confirming he had lung adenocarcinoma, a form of lung cancer, according to a statement released by the Holy See Press Office.
“This morning, the Holy Father underwent the blood tests and chest X-ray scheduled after surgery. The results confirm that his postoperative recovery is progressing normally: the values are within the expected range for the type of operation performed,” it attributed Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora as saying.
Pope Leo XIV arrives at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, where he’s expected to be operated to remove a lung nodule. (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)
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“The Holy Father has undergone respiratory physiotherapy and has begun walking around his room. He has resumed eating normally and had breakfast and lunch,” their statement added. “His recovery is proceeding as expected.”
The pope’s diagnosis was confirmed through a tissue examination conducted during the operation, consistent with findings from preoperative tests, the Vatican said.
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An image of Pope Leo XIV rests at the base of a statue of the late Pope John Paul II outside the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, where Leo is hospitalized for surgery to remove a lung nodule, in Rome, on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026. (Gregorio Borgia/AP)
The pope spent approximately three hours in the operating room, although the surgery itself lasted about 90 minutes.
Doctors said the procedure was successful and there were no complications.
“Doctors found a small lump in the lung,” Leo said after an Angelus address at St. Peter’s Square on Monday. “It was identified at a very early stage and well situated.”
TOPSHOT – Pope Leo XIV is welcomed by Health Director Andrea Cambieri as he arrives at the Gemelli University Hospital for an operation to remove a lump from his lung, in Rome on October 13, 2026. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP via Getty Images)
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“The doctors consider it appropriate to intervene and so, following their advice, I decided to have surgery to remove it,” he continued. “The surgery is already scheduled for the next few days. I thank you for your spiritual closeness and I rely on your prayer.”
Fox News’ Courtney Walsh, Anders Hagstrom and Jasmine Baehr contributed to this report.