Pope Leo XIV had a "good night" in the hospital and was up eating breaking Oct. 15, the Vatican said, two days after undergoing surgery that led doctors to diagnose him with lung cancer.
The 71-year-old pontiff underwent a 90-minute procedure Oct. 13 to remove a small lung nodule. During the operation, doctors discovered adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer, and removed the lower lobe of his right lung. The Vatican said the surgery was successful and that Leo's recovery is progressing normally.
It marked the first major procedure of the 71-year-old's papacy. Here's the latest.
Pope Leo diagnosed with lung cancer. What we know
On Oct. 13, the pope underwent a procedure to remove a small lung nodule doctors had discovered in a recent health checkup.
Part of one of Leo's lungs was removed
during the surgery, and doctors confirmed a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer.
Adenocarcinoma is a type of lung cancer that occurs when lung cells multiply out of control and create a tumor, according to Harvard Health.
The Vatican said the pope's surgery lasted about 90 minutes and was "completed successfully." Afterward, he woke up normally and returned to his hospital room.
Trump sends Pope Leo well wishes
President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters after an Oct. 14 rally in Arizona, said he hopes to see the pontiff "get well."
"I hear the prognosis for that type of problem, it's a cancer, it's big stuff anytime you have cancer," he said. "But the prognosis seems to be good."
Leo, the first U.S.-born Pope, has been a critic of Trump and has spoken out against the ongoing war in Iran.
Contributing: Mary Walrath-Holdridge
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. Keep up with her on X @melinakh and Instagram @bymelinakhan.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pope Leo has 'a good night' after surgery. Latest update
