In Other News · United States · Health

Source: Axios

Pope Leo has been diagnosed with lung cancer, the Vatican said Tuesday.Why it matters: The Vatican disclosed the pontiff's health news just hours after he underwent surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung.What they're saying: "The surgery was completed successfully, within the expected timeframe and as planned, and the holy father has returned to his room," per a Holy See Press Office statement published Tuesday.The office said in that statement it would provide more information shortly, and later followed up with news of Leo's diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, which they said tests "conducted beforehand" had led them to suspect.Driving the news: The first American pontiff was admitted to Rome's Agostino Gemelli University Hospital on Tuesday afternoon for surgery."The Pope was in the operating room approximately three hours, while the operation itself lasted about 90 minutes. The doctors said it was successful and there were no complications," the statement said.The Catholic Church leader carried out his usual duties Monday and was greeted by supporters and patients at the hospital, according to the Vatican statement.Zoom in: Adenocarcinoma is the most common subtype of lung cancer, per the Cancer Center.It forms when the cells lining the outside of the lungs...