Pope Leo XIV has successfully undergone surgery to remove a “small, localised nodule” from his lung.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Holy See Press Office, published on the Vatican website, on Tuesday evening.
The 71-year-old pontiff entered the hospital smiling and waving on Tuesday morning, hours before the operation to remove the growth, which was described as resembling a coin on the lung.
“The procedure was successfully completed, within the expected time and in the planned manner,” the Vatican said in a brief statement.
“The Holy Father has returned to his room,” it added, saying further details would be provided later.
