Pope Leo spent a peaceful night in hospital after undergoing surgery for lung cancer, the Vatican said on Wednesday (October 14), adding that further information about his condition would be released later in the day.

The pope was diagnosed on Tuesday (October 13) with lung adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer, after doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung during an operation.

The 71-year-old pontiff had been admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital after doctors discovered a growth during a recent routine health check.

"I am very sorry about what happened, and I truly hope that everything will be okay, because he is a Pope whom I greatly admire", Rome resident, Luigina D'Agosto, said.

The operation lasted about 90 minutes and was completed without complications, the pope's lead surgeon, Stefano Margaritora, and his personal physician, Luigi Carbone, said late on Tuesday.

The doctors said in a joint statement that the entire lower lobe of the right lung was removed in an effort to eliminate all cancerous tissue.

Elected by the world's cardinals in May 2025, Leo is relatively young for a Church leader. He enjoys sports, including tennis, and is not known to be a smoker or to have had recent health issues.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

ROME, ITALY (OCTOBER 14, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF ENTRANCE OF GEMELLI HOSPITAL

2. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE ENTERING HOSPITAL

3. VARIOUS OF STATUE OF LATE POPE JOHN PAUL II IN COURTYARD

4. HOSPITAL WINDOWS

5. CANDLES

6. VIEW OF HOSPITAL

7. BOARD OF GEMELLI HOSPITAL

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) ROME RESIDENT, LUIGINA D'AGOSTO, SAYING:

"I am very sorry about what happened, and I truly hope that everything will be okay, because he is a Pope whom I greatly admire."

(Italian) ROME RESIDENT, ELDA D'AGOSTO, SAYING:

"For me, it's the same. We all hope everything will be okay. That's really all there is to say, because we wish the best for everyone, and even more so for our Pope."

9. STATUE OF LATE POPE JOHN PAUL II IN COURTYARD

10. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) ROME RESIDENT, ROBERTO GRASSI, SAYING:

"I am truly sorry about what has happened to our Holy Father. At first, when he was introduced, I found myself comparing him to Pope Francis, and that left me somewhat uncertain. But having seen him through his words, his gestures, and his actions, I have developed the deepest respect and admiration for this Pope, and I hope everything is resolved as soon as possible."

11. PEOPLE ENTERING HOSPITAL

12. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) ROME RESIDENT, SANDRO AMICI, SAYING:

"We pray for the Pope, and we pray for all those who are sick, because there are so many of them. I have also turned in prayer to Saint John Paul II, asking him to protect his successor."

13. CANDLES

14. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) ROME RESIDENT, PASQUALE PECORARO, SAYING:

"Certainly, yes, we pray for the Pope. Of course, I hope everything will turn out well, but I am confident in modern medicine because they are at the forefront. And since this situation was caught early, I believe he will recover. May the Lord be with him."

15. VARIOUS OF EXTERIORS OF HOSPITAL