Catholic News

ROME — Pope Leo XIV is recovering well after undergoing surgery Tuesday to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, which was affected by pulmonary adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer.

The medical report released by the Vatican was signed by his personal physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, and Dr. Stefano Margaritora, the surgeon who led the operation.

The bulletin said the Holy Father underwent scheduled "blood tests and a chest X-ray" Wednesday morning.

"The results confirm a normal postoperative course: The values are within the expected range for the type of surgery performed," the doctors said.

The bulletin also highlighted progress in his physical recovery.

"The Holy Father underwent respiratory physiotherapy and began walking around his room," the doctors reported, referring to an activity considered essential to recovery after lung surgery.

The physicians also said the pontiff had resumed his normal diet.

"Recovery is proceeding as expected," they said in the bulletin released by the Holy See, easing concerns that arose late Tuesday when the Vatican confirmed the cancer diagnosis.

A histological examination confirmed that the pope had pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

The first encouraging news came early Wednesday morning, following an anxious night. In a brief statement, the Vatican confirmed that the pope had spent a "peaceful night" and was continuing to recover from anesthesia in his room on the 10th floor of Rome's Gemelli Hospital.

A few hours later came confirmation that, despite his hospitalization, Leo remains able to carry out his responsibilities governing the Church.

At noon, the Holy See announced that the pontiff had accepted the resignation of Archbishop Bernard Bober from the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of Košice, Slovakia, and appointed Auxiliary Bishop Marek Forgác of the same archdiocese as his successor.

He also appointed Bishop Wellington de Queiroz Vieira as the new metropolitan archbishop of Cuiabá, Brazil, transferring him from the Diocese of Cristalândia.

The pope's clinical progress will determine the course of his treatment over the coming weeks. Doctors continue to monitor his postoperative recovery closely before making decisions about the next stages of treatment and his schedule in the coming days.

For now, all his scheduled engagements remain canceled through next Tuesday.

Among the upcoming events awaiting confirmation is the Angelus on Sunday, Oct. 18. If his medical condition permits, the pope could lead the prayer from the hospital, a gesture that would be seen as an encouraging sign of his recovery.

Members of the pope's closest entourage, known in Vatican terminology as the papal household, remain at his side. They include his two personal secretaries, Peruvian Father Edgard Iván Rimaycuna Inga and Italian Father Marco Billeri.

A blessing from heaven

Meanwhile, Gemelli Hospital continues to receive expressions of affection and solidarity from faithful who have come from around the world.

Among them is Gina, a native of Lima, Peru, who was praying before the imposing statue of St. John Paul II in the courtyard of the Rome hospital.

For the past two years, she has cared for her husband, who has Parkinson's disease. He is currently hospitalized at Gemelli after developing an infection.

For Gina, being in the same hospital as the pope is more than a coincidence. She considers it a "blessing from heaven" that helps her endure her suffering.

"It gives me strength to think that my husband is suffering as a patient just a few yards from the Holy Father. I know his suffering is not in vain because we offer it to God," she told EWTN News.

For Gina, the circumstances have strengthened her faith and hope.

"That has given me more strength and more hope. Knowing that the pope is here helps me keep going," she said.

She happened to return from Peru, where she had traveled to visit family, on Oct. 11, after leaving Rome on Aug. 28. Her return coincided with the news of the pontiff's impending surgery.

"My mother called me the next day and asked how my husband was doing. When I told her that the pope was in the same hospital, she burst into tears: 'Blessed be God, blessed be God,'" Gina recalled.

She also described the excitement building in Peru ahead of Leo's planned visit.

"Choirs, folk groups, and many local residents are organizing to celebrate his arrival. He's going to see the children he baptized, the children who have grown up and are now adults. People adore him," she said.

Gina said she cannot imagine the pontiff having to cancel his planned trip to Latin America.

For now, however, the messages coming from the Vatican have been encouraging.

Holy See Press Office director Matteo Bruni emphasized that the tumor was "at an early stage" and that the nodule removed was "circumscribed and localized."

The statement released after the operation used the term "radicality" to indicate that doctors believe the lesion was completely removed.

Specialists also believe that the loss of a lung lobe should not have significant consequences for the daily life of a patient in Leo's physical condition.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Oct. 14, Bruni referred to the pope's "desire" to proceed with his trip scheduled for early November.

"We have heard the pope's words about the trip, and therefore his intention, his desire, and also the fact that ... he wants to go," the Vatican spokesman said.

This story was first published by EWTN News Español, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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After a surgery on Tuesday in which the lower lobe of his right lung was removed, Pope Leo XIV was diagnosed with lung cancer. Dr. Luis Ráez, a prominent oncologist, explained in an interview with EWTN News what pulmonary adenocarcinoma is and what factors will determine the Holy Father's next medical steps.

Ráez, who is not treating the pope, serves as the medical director and head of the Thoracic Oncology Program at the Memorial Cancer Institute in Florida.

The Vatican reported that the pope had "the lower lobe of the right lung removed using a video-assisted technique. The intraoperative histological examination has confirmed the diagnosis of pulmonary adenocarcinoma, as was suspected from the preoperative tests."

The most common lung tumor

"The Holy Father remained in the operating room for approximately 3 hours; the duration of the surgery was approximately 90 minutes. The surgery was a success and there were no complications," the Holy See added.

Ráez explained that adenocarcinoma "is the most common tumor in the lung" and noted that "in general, lung cancers are more aggressive than those of the prostate or breast."

However, he clarified that seriousness is not defined solely by the type of cancer, but that "the prognosis depends on the stage, that is, the size of the tumor and how far it has spread."

'Stage one or stage two'

The pope said during the Angelus prayer on Sunday, Oct. 11, that a nodule on his lung was detected "at a very early stage" and was "well localized." Ráez speculated that the decision to operate could confirm that the cancer is not at an advanced stage.

"We assume that is the case because they subjected him to surgery. If it were metastatic, for example, stage three or stage four, which are advanced, most likely they would not have operated on him. An operation usually implies stage one or stage two," he said.

Asked what will determine whether removal of part of the lung is sufficient or whether additional treatment will be required, Ráez highlighted the importance of the tumor size and the absence of metastases.

"If the tumor is larger than four centimeters, the surgery will not be enough and chemotherapy will be necessary. If the tumor is smaller than four centimeters, the surgery is sufficient and nothing else is done. A patient then moves to an observation phase with check-ups every six months," he explained.

The recovery process

Regarding the chances of a cure, Ráez noted that, under optimal conditions and with a tumor smaller than four centimeters, the figures are favorable: "The chance of cure for early-stage lung cancer is 80 to 90%; it is not total because the cancer can come back."

Regarding the physical recovery of Pope Leo XIV, who is 71 years old, Ráez expressed a favorable short-term prognosis. "Since he is a healthy man, the most likely thing is that he will be fine" in a few weeks, he stated.

He added that this surgery usually requires a hospital stay of two or three days in the United States and considered that, in the pontiff's case, more days of hospitalization may have been planned as a precaution.

Regarding medical follow-up after discharge, the specialist stressed that the protocol does not end when one leaves the hospital. "For the next five years, control CT scans must be done every six months, until one is sure that the cancer has not returned and that he has been cured," said Ráez, who has more than two decades of experience in hematology and medical oncology.

This story was first published by EWTN News Español, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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Santo Domingo has a new archbishop: Carlos Tomás Morel Diplán. He succeeds Francisco Ozoria Acosta, whose resignation was accepted by Pope Leo XIV after he reached the episcopal retirement age of 75.

Morel Diplán had been appointed by Pope Leo as coadjutor archbishop of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on Oct. 18, 2025, with the automatic right of succession.

As reported by the Vatican Press Office on Oct. 12 and by mandate of the Holy Father, the new archbishop of Santo Domingo also assumes the office of Military Ordinary of the Dominican Republic, a role previously held by Ozoria.

Ozoria offers Mass of Thanksgiving

On Sunday, Oct. 11, Ozoria, now archbishop emeritus of Santo Domingo, offered a Mass of Thanksgiving for his years of episcopal service. He spent 10 of those years serving the primatial see of the Americas, the Archdiocese of Santo Domingo, erected in 1546, the first in the Western Hemisphere.

"I do not cease to be a bishop; I do not cease to be a priest; I am resigning from pastoral governance," the prelate stated during the Mass in the Santo Domingo cathedral, concelebrated by Morel Diplán and other Dominican prelates, according to the Archdiocese of Santo Domingo.

"Every Eucharist is an act of thanksgiving to the Lord," the archbishop emeritus said, highlighting that "the way to exercise the priesthood is in the manner of Jesus Christ, who gives life to the world through his death on the cross."

New archbishop of Santo Domingo

Morel Diplán was born on Nov. 2, 1969, in Monte de la Jagua, Moca, in Espaillat Province. He was ordained a priest on June 24, 2000, for the Archdiocese of Santiago de los Caballeros in the Dominican Republic.

He has served as rector, vice-rector, and professor at the seminary; vocations director; parish priest, vicar, and parish administrator; collaborator with various diocesan curia bodies; and professor and director of the School for the Permanent Diaconate in Santiago de los Caballeros.

On Dec. 14, 2016, he was appointed auxiliary bishop of Santiago de los Caballeros. On Dec. 2, 2023, he was appointed apostolic administrator of the Diocese of La Vega, and on Oct. 18, 2024, he was named bishop of the same diocese.

On Oct. 18, 2025, he was appointed coadjutor archbishop of Santo Domingo.

This story was first published by EWTN News Español, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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GBOKA, Nigeria — The Catholic Diocese of Gboko in Nigeria has suspended operations at three schools, a parish, and a hospital amid persistent insecurity in the area, expressing regret that the unavoidable suspension will affect communities.

The institutions listed in a pastoral letter and decree issued Oct. 12, include St. Winifred Secondary School, St. Winifred Nursery and Primary School, St. Thomas Hospital, the hospital chaplaincy, Subin Mind Care Center, and St. Winifred Parish, all located in Ihugh within the diocese.

The decree, which took effect immediately provides for the withdrawal of all diocesan personnel serving in the affected institutions, including priests, consecrated persons, catechists, pastoral workers, teachers, medical personnel, and administrative staff.

In the decree, Bishop William Amove Avenya directs that the personnel be reassigned or redeployed, adding that no one would be permitted to resume duties or exercise ministry on behalf of the diocese in Ihugh without his written authorization.

The decree states that the closure is "temporary in intent, though indefinite in duration," and will remain in force until the bishop, in consultation with his advisers, determines that conditions for a safe return have been met.

According to the decree that he co-signed with the diocese's chancellor, Father Marcellinus Wende, the decision to reopen the institutions will be communicated through a further decree.

The pastoral letter indicates that the closures follow repeated attacks, destruction of property, and other security incidents affecting Catholic institutions in Ihugh.

Among the incidents cited are the burning of student hostels at St. Winifred Secondary School on Oct. 28, and on OCt. 11, May 10 ,and May 15 of this year.

The diocese also cites repeated burglaries at St. Winifred Parish and criminal incidents at St. Thomas Hospital.

The letter further recalls disturbances during the hospital's reopening on June 21, 2024, when members of the local community displayed placards and chanted slogans declaring that they no longer wanted Catholic religious sisters to work in Ihugh.

"These acts are identified as part of a systemic pattern of hostility and destruction directed at Church-owned properties," Avenya says, adding that the incidents had left fear, loss, and uncertainty among those serving in and depending on the institutions.

The bishop said the diocese had pursued dialogue and reconciliation before deciding to suspend operations.

According to the letter, diocesan representatives met with members of the host community, engaged traditional rulers and elders, and presented their concerns to civil and security authorities. However, these efforts had not secured the peace and guarantees of safety required for the institutions to continue operating.

"The Church cannot, in conscience, continue to expose her priests, consecrated persons, teachers, technical medical personnel, students and patients to danger," the bishop said.

Despite the closures, the bishop outlined measures to support those affected. Students at the secondary, primary, and nursery schools will be assisted, as far as possible, to continue their education at other Catholic schools within the diocese, with further details to be provided by the director of Catholic Education Services.

Patients receiving care at St. Thomas Hospital will be referred to other health facilities, with arrangements made for the proper handover of those requiring urgent medical attention.

The diocese has also pledged to treat affected staff with justice and charity, in accordance with Church teaching on the dignity of labour.

In the pastoral letter, Avenya called on the people of Ihugh, traditional rulers, youth leaders, government officials, and law enforcement agencies to work towards restoring peace and ensuring the protection of lives and property. He also urged authorities to bring those responsible for the attacks to justice.

"We bear no ill will toward our brothers and sisters," the bishop said, while condemning violence, arson, and destruction as contrary to the Gospel and the common good.

Avenya said a return to Ihugh would remain possible if there were genuine repentance, restitution, a firm commitment to peace and credible, lasting assurances of safety for Church personnel and property.

As part of its response, the bishop called on the faithful to pray for peace and reconciliation, further directing parishes to offer the Prayer of the Faithful and celebrate Holy Mass for peace. He also encouraged families to pray the rosary, and designated Friday, Oct. 23, as a day of prayer and fasting for reconciliation.

Avenya has been vocal about unprovoked attacks and the killing of innocent people in the country's Benue State within his diocese.

In June last year, he painted a grim picture of nearly two decades of relentless violence, displacements, and suffering in one of Nigeria's most troubled regions.

"For about 20 years, Benue State has witnessed serial killings, maiming, and ejection of thousands of indigenous people from their ancestral homelands, with their means of livelihood destroyed in the process," the Nigerian bishop lamented in his statement titled, "A Cry of Anguish from the Benue Valley."

He added, "Many of those forced out of their homes are living in the camps for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) under gravely dehumanizing conditions and are predominantly cared for by charities, while others are living with other people (mostly their relatives)."

Despite the grim picture, Avenya said, "What we need is peace, and this is not too much to ask for. The blame game has gone on for too long. It is time to act."

This article was first published by ACI Africa, EWTN News' sister service in Africa, and has been adapted for EWTN News English.

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U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, sent a letter to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Acting Commissioner Kyle Diamantas last week asking whether the agency "is reviewing all relevant data" in the mifepristone safety study it has undertaken.

Hawley questioned whether the study is accurately measuring risks to women of the abortion drug, which since 2021 has been available by mail. The FDA halted in-person dispensing requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic and formally modified the policy in 2023, continuing to allow abortion pills by mail.

He expressed concern that the study did not provide dates for what it called "relevant time periods" during which the drug's effects were measured. He wrote that the study relies on Sentinel, a database of insurance claims and health records, but does not provide the time frame being analyzed. He expressed concern that data must include dates "after the Biden Administration gutted safety regulations in 2023."

Hawley noted that Louisiana is challenging the FDA in a federal suit alleging the government did not adequately ascertain the drug's safety before removing safeguards.

The senator asked Diamantas to provide answers in writing by Oct. 22.

Catholics join LDS Church in Idaho in opposing ballot measure expanding abortion access

The Diocese of Boise, Idaho, has joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) in a campaign opposing Proposition 1, an initiative that expands abortion access.

Last week, the diocese donated $300,000 to the political action committee Too Extreme for Idaho, to which the LDS church had already donated $1 million, according to the Idaho secretary of state.

Boise Bishop Peter F. Christensen in July and again in September urged Catholics to vote against the measure, which he called "too extreme" for the state, saying if passed, it "would remove nearly all protections for pre-born babies and put vulnerable women at risk."

He emphasized that the measure, if passed, would undermine parental rights by no longer requiring parental consent for abortions as well as other medical procedures on minors and would remove the current legal requirement that only physicians perform abortions.

"Proposition 1 concerns matters of profound moral significance, particularly abortion, human dignity, freedom and the protection owed to unborn human life," he wrote in September. "These questions cannot be separated from our Catholic faith simply because they appear on a ballot. The voting booth does not somehow stand outside our relationship with Christ."

Fired teacher sues school in England for discriminating against her Christian faith

A teacher in England is suing after she was fired in March for telling a student who asked her about her views on abortion that she was pro-life.

Anita Meston, a 63-year-old who taught history at Biddick Academy in Washington, Sunderland, is suing the school for discriminating against her Christian faith, which she says is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010.

"If our national education system continues to claim to foster inclusion and tolerance, this must include tolerance of perspectives with which others disagree," Meston said in a press release from Alliance Defending Freedom, the legal group representing her.

"In a free and just society, teachers should not be fired for honestly expressing their deeply held beliefs in response to questions in the classroom," she said. "What happened to me is nothing short of censorship, and this precedent cannot be allowed to stand."

Pro-abortion protesters block pro-life group at student fair in England

Protesters blocked the stall of the Pro-Life Society, a pro-life student group, at a student fair held at the University of Manchester in England on Sept. 25.

While the protesters, some of them members of Manchester Leftist Action, did not touch the stall, they held a banner in front of it that said "Destroy Pro-Life Soc." They also collected money for and passed out leaflets on pro-abortion groups as well as links to an Instagram account called @stopmanchesterprolife, according to The Mancunion.

A Pro-Life Society spokesperson told The Mancunion the roughly four-hour blockade limited their free speech and prevented students from approaching the stall, adding that university staff's requests for protesters to move were largely ineffective.

The society has faced campus opposition since its founding according to the report, including earlier protests and an unsuccessful disbandment petition.

A spokesperson for Manchester Leftist Action stated that, because the university would not act against what they described as "bigotry and dangerous pseudoscience," they chose to counter the stall by engaging students and raising funds for abortion care. They said they would continue opposing the society's efforts on campus.

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The University of Dayton announced that Darlene Weaver, the university's provost and executive vice president, will serve as the Ohio university's 20th president.

Weaver's appointment makes her the first woman president in the university's history, according to an Oct. 12 press release. She succeeds University of Dayton President Eric Spina and is set to begin the role on July 1, 2027.

"Darlene has an innate understanding of the University of Dayton, a deep belief in our Catholic, Marianist mission and a demonstrated ability to move important work forward," Deborah Tobias, chair of the University of Dayton Board of Trustees and the presidential search advisory committee, said in the release.

"UD's mission has never been more important," Weaver said. "In a world shaped by technological change, social division and questions about the value of higher education, the University of Dayton has a distinctive role to play in serving the common good. We educate students not only for professional success, but for lives of meaning, responsibility and service. That is the promise of a Catholic, Marianist education, and it will guide the work ahead."

Cleveland diocesan school launches 'Pathways' initiative for young men

Benedictine High School in Cleveland announced the start of Pathways, an initiative aimed at empowering young men to explore their passions while preparing for college.

"Rather than following a one-size-fits-all educational model, Pathways allows students to engage in meaningful, hands-on learning experiences aligned with their interests and future aspirations with concentrations in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), business-entrepreneurship, fine and performing arts and vocations," the diocese said in an Oct. 6 press release.

Students will have the opportunity to continue exploring courses in fields already offered by the school, including STEM, business, entrepreneurship, and fine arts. "Launching with electives in computer repair, media production, construction and manufacturing, the vocations pathway will provide students with hands-on experiences, opportunities to earn industry-recognized credentials and meaningful exposure to technical careers," the release said.

Omaha Archdiocese announces pilot program for career, technical training

Archbishop Michael McGovern is launching a pilot program for technical vocational training at six Catholic schools across the Archdiocese of Omaha, Nebraska.

"Archbishop Michael McGovern is proud to announce this initiative to expand opportunities in Career and Technical Education in Catholic schools across Northeast Nebraska," according to the program's website. "This multi-year initiative is the first such effort by a diocesan school system in the United States and will begin with a pilot at six schools in 2027-2028."

The program will feature "trade bootcamps" in fields such as auto repair, construction, and HVAC; career exploration days; and a "Lunch and Learn" series for women in technical areas.

Participating schools include Norfolk Catholic Junior and High School, St. Joseph Elementary School, Christ the King Catholic School, Skutt Catholic High School, All Saints Catholic School, and Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School.

"Career & Technical Education expands the ways students in Archdiocese of Omaha schools can discover their gifts, apply their knowledge in hands-on lessons, explore meaningful careers and prepare for life beyond high school," the website said.

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VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery Tuesday to remove the lower lobe of his right lung after doctors confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, the Vatican announced Tuesday evening.

"The Holy Father underwent thoracic surgery as scheduled. To ensure the radical removal of the tumor, the lower lobe of the right lung was removed using a video-assisted technique. An intraoperative histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, as suspected from preoperative tests," the Holy See Press Office said in a statement concerning the operation performed Tuesday afternoon at Rome's Agostino Gemelli University Hospital.

"The Holy Father was in the operating room for approximately three hours, while the procedure itself lasted about 90 minutes," the statement continued. "The operation was successful, and there were no complications. After surgery, the pope regained consciousness normally and, following a brief period of observation, returned to his room on the 10th floor."

The statement was prepared by Dr. Luigi Carbone, the pope's personal physician, and Professor Stefano Margaritora, who performed the operation.

In addition to Margaritora, the surgical team included Professor Elisa Meacci and Drs. Maria Teresa Congedo and Leonardo Petracca Ciaravella. The anesthesiology team consisted of Professor Massimo Antonelli and Drs. Giovanni Punzo and Giuseppe Bello.

Further postoperative tests, including a histological examination, are expected in the coming days. Doctors have not discussed chemotherapy or similar treatments at this stage.

Leo XIV is being accompanied at the hospital by his two secretaries, the religious sisters who assist him, and his personal physician.

Further updates on the pontiff's health could be released Wednesday.

This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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