Pope Leo XIV recovering from lung cancer surgery: What happens next?
Pope Leo XIV is recovering in a Rome hospital following successful surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his right lung. The Vatican has canceled his public audiences until October 20, leaving uncertainty regarding his upcoming diplomatic trip to South America.
Why it matters
The health of the head of the Catholic Church is a matter of global interest, particularly regarding his ability to fulfill international diplomatic commitments.
Pope Leo XIV had a "calm" night after lung surgery, the Vatican said on Wednesday.The pope is recovering at Rome's Gemelli Hospital after undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his right lung on Tuesday.In a statement, the Vatican said the surgery had been “successfully completed, as planned and within the expected timeframe,” adding that the pope had returned to his room on the hospital's tenth floor, in a ward next to the papal apartment where Pope Francis was hospitalised a year and a half ago.The 71-year-old pope underwent the 90-minute operation, after which the Vatican said he "woke up normally."Part of the pope's lung was removed during surgery, and he is awaiting test results to determine whether the cancer has spread.The statement did not mention further treatment, with the Vatican saying doctors were not yet considering chemotherapy or other therapies pending additional test results.Experts said much would depend…
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18 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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