Pope's surgery to remove lump on his lung 'concluded successfully', Vatican says

Pope Leo arrived at Rome's Gemelli Hospital ahead of his surgery on Tuesday

Pope Leo XIV's surgery to remove a lump on his lung "concluded successfully", the Vatican says.

"The operation concluded successfully, on time and as expected, and the Holy Father returned to his room," the Vatican said in a statement.

They cheered greetings and well wishes as he passed, while he waved and smiled back through the lowered back window of his car.

It was Leo XIV himself who on Sunday announced news of his operation to the world, speaking from the balcony in St Peter's Square after delivering the traditional Angelus blessing.

Gemelli's thoracic surgery team operated on the Pope, whose schedule has already been cleared until 20 October to give him time to recover.

The Vatican has stressed that the pontiff, who is generally thought to be fit, had no symptoms of infection or illness.

Pope Leo XIV announced the news of his operation during his weekly Sunday prayers in Rome

Cardinal Kikuchi Tarcisio Isao of Tokyo wrote on social media that he'd had an audience with Pope Leo on Monday, and said the pontiff felt "nothing wrong" physically.

The trip is particularly significant because it includes a visit to Peru, where the pontiff was a missionary and then a Bishop for many years.

"Am I worried? Yes, because I certainly wasn't expecting anything like this," Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin told journalists on Tuesday.

Outside Gemelli Hospital, which has treated several popes and is home to a large statue of John Paul II, a few Catholics lingered after the pontiff was admitted.