Vatican says procedure to remove nodule from Pope Leo XIV's lung was 'successful'

The surgery Tuesday on Pope Leo XIV's lung to remove a nodule was "successful," the Vatican said after the procedure.

The 71-year-old Pope returned to his room at Rome’s Gemelli hospital after the surgery, the Vatican said. 

The surgery, performed by a team led by Gemelli’s chief thoracic surgeon, Dr. Stefano Margaritora. The procedure will determine whether the nodule is malignant and what other treatment might be needed, according to the Associated Press.

Should doctors determine the lesion on Leo's lung to be cancerous, oncologists say this  prognosis is good since it will have been removed at an early stage.