Local doctor weighs in on condition behind Pope Leo’s surgery

by WTOC Staff

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Pope Leo’s surgery Tuesday afternoon to remove a small growth on one of his lungs went well and as expected, the Vatican said in a statement.

The 71-year-old pontiff said doctors recently discovered the nodule during medical checks and found that it was early stage enough to operate.

Pope Leo has kept an active lifestyle, saying he plays tennis and swims.

The Vatican says recovery will take around a week.

Since the announcement, well-wishes have been pouring in from worshippers around the world for the Chicago native.

WTOC spoke with a local doctor about how serious a condition like this is.

“So size matters for lung nodules. The smaller the better, if you are able to diagnose a nodule that is cancerous in an early stage really the better chance you have for treatments,” said Cardiothoracic surgeron Glenn Carlos.

The pope is scheduled to tour South America next month, with stops planned in Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.