VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer after surgeons removed part of his right lung, the Vatican said, with the 71-year-old pontiff now recovering at a Rome hospital following what officials described as a successful operation.

The Vatican said Wednesday morning that the pope had a "quiet night" after the surgery, which took place Tuesday afternoon at Rome's Agostino Gemelli University Policlinic.

In a statement, Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora said the pope "underwent thoracic surgery as scheduled," with surgeons removing the lower lobe of his right lung using video-assisted techniques. The procedure lasted about 90 minutes.

Examination of the removed tissue found evidence of pulmonary adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer, the doctors said.

The Vatican had announced Tuesday evening that the operation concluded "according to plan" and that the pope had returned to his room.

Growth found in routine tests

The pope disclosed his health issue publicly on Sunday, telling crowds in St. Peter's Square that doctors had discovered a nodule on his lung and had advised him to have it removed.

Leo said the growth had been detected "at a very early stage" and was "well-contained."

The Vatican press office said the nodule was found during routine tests. The pope, the first American to lead the Roman........

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