Medical expert explains Pope Leo’s expected lung surgery and recovery

The chief of the thoracic surgery department at Rome’s Policlinico Umberto I hospital said on Monday (October 12) there was likely only a 1 or 2% chance Pope Leo’s recently discovered lung nodule was malignant, Reuters reports.

Federico Venuta said that complications to the diagnosis and treatment of such cases are rare, at a rate of around 2 or 3%.

Pope Leo announced to worshippers on St Peter’s Square on Sunday (October 11) statement of doctors discovered a lung nodule – a lesion smaller than three centimetres in diameter – during a routine check-up.

During his weekly Angelus prayer, the pontiff said he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove the small growth.

He furthermore had explained that the growth was “well-contained” and had been spotted early.

The pope enjoys sports, including tennis, and is not known to be a smoker or to previously have had health issues.

The Vatican has not said what day the surgery will take place, but said the pope’s recovery is expected to take about a week.