Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma which, according to the National Health Institute, is the most common subtype of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), accounting for roughly 30% to 50% of all lung cancer cases.

The 71-year-old pontiff was diagnosed with the disease after undergoing a thoracic surgery at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday, October 13 afternoon.

According to the Holy See Press Office, the Pope was in the operating room for approximately three hours, while the operation itself lasted about 90 minutes.

And in what the Vatican reports as a successful procedure with no complications, the surgeons removed the lower lobe of the Pope’s right lung, and tissue examined during the operation confirmed the diagnosis of “lung adenocarcinoma,” as suspected from tests conducted beforehand.

“An intraoperative histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, as suspected from the preoperative examinations,” the doctors said, as reported by the Vatican.

Pope Leo awoke normally after surgery and, following a brief period of observation, returned to his room on the hospital’s 10th floor, according to the statement.

Professor Margaritora led the surgical team, assisted by Professor Elisa Meacci, Dr. Maria Teresa Congedo, and Dr. Leonardo Petracca Ciavarella.

The anesthesia team comprised Professor Massimo Antonelli, Dr. Giovanni Punzo, and Dr. Giuseppe Bello.

On Wednesday, October 14 morning, the Holy See Press Office is expected to provide an update on how the Pope spent the night and any exam results that have come through.

According to the Director of the Holy See Press Office Matteo Bruni, Pope Leo asked for dinner and spent the evening in the company of his secretaries and other Vatican staff.