Pope’s family ‘going through a lot’ as brother also receives cancer treatment, wife says

Deborah Prevost said the brothers spoke last week as her husband prepared to go to hospital.

“He called to let us know what would be happening,” she said. The Pope announced on Sunday he would be operated on “in the coming days” after a nodule was found on his lung during a medical check-up.

“We keep praying, keeping spirits up for both of them,” said Deborah Prevost.

The Pope, whose birth name is Robert Francis Prevost, underwent a 90-minute surgery on Tuesday at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital and was subsequently diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma – a type of cancer usually found in the outer part of the organ. During the surgery, a lower lobe of his right lung was removed, the church said in a medical bulletin.

“The operation was successful and there were no complications,” the Vatican said. “After the operation, the Pope awoke normally and returned after a brief period of observation to his room.”

The pontiff had a “peaceful night” in the hospital, the Vatican said on Wednesday morning.

Adenocarcinomas develop in cells that produce mucus and are one of the most common types of lung cancer.

The long-term prognosis depends on a number of things, including the stage of the cancer when identified and the person’s overall health. The earlier it is spotted, the better, and treatments have improved over the last few decades.

Some adenocarcinomas are picked up early – before symptoms develop – during routine tests. At later stages, lung cancer can cause a persistent cough, breathlessness, fatigue and weight loss.