Pope Lev successfully operated on in Rome
Surgery removed a small growth from one lung lobe; Vatican says recovery in hospital of about a week and public events cancelled until 20 October.
Pope Lev (71) underwent a surgical procedure in Rome today to remove a small growth from one lung lobe, the Vatican said.
The operation took place at the Gemelli hospital and, according to the Vatican, went according to a prearranged plan.
In a brief statement published late afternoon the Holy See said: "The operation was completed successfully, on time and according to plan."
It is the first significant health problem of the pope during the 17 months of his pontificate, and Pope Lev himself said the nodule had been identified in time during a recent routine check-up.
Medical follow-up and short hospital stay expected
Medical specialists expect the procedure will make it possible to determine whether the growth is malignant and what further treatment, if any, will be required; the Vatican did not specify which tests were performed on the nodule.
The Vatican said the pope is expected to remain in hospital for around a week. All his public events have been cancelled until 20 October.
Photo: press material from the event
