In brief
The 71‑year‑old Pope has begun walking and resumed a normal diet following a 90‑minute operation at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. The Vatican confirmed the procedure was successful and complication‑free. Blood tests and an X‑ray on Wednesday showed his recovery is proceeding normally, and he has started respiratory physiotherapy. The lower lobe was removed to ensure a radical treatment of the adenocarcinoma. He is expected to stay in hospital for about a week.
Doctors report that the 71‑year‑old pontiff has begun walking and is eating a normal diet following the removal of a lower lobe from his lung.
The operation, carried out at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday afternoon, was described by the Vatican as a successful procedure with no complications. Blood tests and an early X‑ray on Wednesday showed that his recovery is proceeding as expected.
After the operation, the Pope awoke normally and returned to his room following a brief observation period, where he slept peacefully. He has also begun respiratory physiotherapy to aid lung function.
The surgery involved the complete removal of the lower lobe of the Pope’s right lung to ensure a radical treatment of a lung adenocarcinoma that was diagnosed following a 'well‑contained' nodule discovered during pre‑operative tests.
He was scheduled for admission ahead of his weekly Sunday prayers and informed the crowd in St. Peter’s Square that the nodule would be removed. He had not shown any symptoms of illness, and the Vatican highlighted that he is generally thought to be fit.
The news has stunned Catholics worldwide, recalling earlier hospital visits for Pope Francis and the lung operation of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, earlier in his life. The Pope is expected to remain in hospital for about a week as he continues to recover.
What is Lung Adenocarcinoma?
Adenocarcinomas arise from mucus‑producing cells and are among the most common types of lung cancer. Prognosis depends on the cancer’s stage at detection and overall patient health; early detection generally leads to better outcomes.
Early stages often produce no symptoms and may be found during routine scans, while advanced stages can cause persistent cough, breathlessness, fatigue, and weight loss.
Modern treatments have improved dramatically, offering hope even when the disease is detected later.
