Pope Leo XIV has lung cancer, the Vatican announced after surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung on Tuesday, October 13, at Rome's Gemelli hospital.

A medical bulletin said tests confirmed lung adenocarcinoma, which had been suspected before the operation. The minimally invasive, camera-guided surgery was led by Professor Stefano Margaritora, the hospital's chief thoracic surgeon. The Vatican said it was successful and without complications.

The 71-year-old pope, the first from the United States, spent about three hours in the operating room. He woke up as expected, returned to his room and has started respiratory physiotherapy.

Lymph nodes removed during surgery are being tested to see whether the cancer has spread. Doctors are not currently discussing chemotherapy or other treatment while they wait for those results, the Vatican said.

The growth was found during routine checks. Oncologists quoted by news agencies said the outlook is very good when such a tumor is removed at an early stage.

The pope is expected to stay in the hospital for about a week. All his audiences have been canceled through October 20.