Pope Leo XIV undergoes successful surgery to remove cancerous lung tumour

Pope Leo XIV underwent a successful three-hour operation to remove a cancerous tumour from his right lung, with the Vatican confirming the procedure was successful and the pontiff woke up normally afterwards. Further tests are being conducted to determine if the cancer had spread, but medical experts suggest if caught early, the prognosis is very good.

Five-year survival rates for lung adenocarcinoma, when the cancer is localised and treated surgically, range from 80 to 98 percent. The 71-year-old pope, who is the first U.S. pontiff, had entered the hospital smiling and waving before the surgery. His audiences have been cancelled until October 20, and the operation raises questions about whether he will embark on a Latin American trip planned for next month.

The Vatican has historically been secretive about the health of popes, but has become more transparent, particularly in the case of Leo's predecessor, Francis.