Surgeons Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora removed the lower lobe of the pope's right lung during a 90 minute video-assisted operation on Tuesday that confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma. A Vatican source told AFP that further tests are underway to determine whether the cancer has spread. Public engagements have been canceled until Oct. 20, leaving a planned November tour of South America in question.
The pontiff thanked Catholics on Wednesday in his first message since the procedure, while U.S. President Donald Trump said he hoped the American-born pope would "get better fast." The pope's older brother, Louis Prevost, who is undergoing blood cancer treatment in Tampa, told Newsmax that an aide relayed the pope was "awake, feeling good, and was in no pain" after the operation.