The chief of the thoracic surgery department at Rome's Policlinico Umberto I hospital said on Monday (October 12) there was likely only a 1 or 2% chance Pope Leo's recently discovered lung nodule was malignant, Reuters reports.
Federico Venuta said that complications to the diagnosis and treatment of such cases are rare, at a rate of around 2 or 3%.
Pope Leo announced to worshippers on St Peter's Square on Sunday (October 11) statement of doctors discovered a lung nodule - a lesion smaller than three centimetres in diameter - during a routine check-up.
During his weekly Angelus prayer, the pontiff said he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove the small growth.
He furthermore had explained that the growth was “well-contained” and had been spotted early.
The pope enjoys sports, including tennis, and is not known to be a smoker or to previously have had health issues.
The Vatican has not said what day the surgery will take place, but said the pope's recovery is expected to take about a week.
