Bay Area reacts to Pope Leo XIV's lung cancer diagnosis

Tonight, Pope Leo XIV recovering at a hospital in Rome after part of his right lung was removed. The Vatican announcing the 71-year-old's cancer diagnosis, and Bay Area Catholics are offering their prayers and support for the Holy Father. I just hope he's healthy and he can keep doing what he's doing. I think it's good for the archdiocese, it's good for the Catholic organization, all good things. The Vatican says the surgery was successful and that the Pope has been diagnosed with lung cancer. Good evening, everyone. I'm Mike Meeback. And I'm Claudine Wong. We are taking a live look now at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. It's a church where Pope Leo XIV holds regular weekly public gatherings and prayers. However, all of the Pope's public appearances and scheduled events have been canceled through next Tuesday as he recovers from today's procedure. The Pope is top of mind for people across the world, including here in the Bay Area. And KTVU's Amber Lee joins us live In studio with reaction to today's surgery. Claudine, I spoke with the chief thoracic surgeon of Sutter Health CPMC about lung cancer and the importance of early detection. Tonight, the Pope is receiving a lot of well wishes. People, both Catholics and others, tell me they admire him and appreciate the work he's doing. On this night, St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in San Francisco's North Beach is lit up in the colors of the Italian flag. And for some, top of mind is Pope Leo XIV, recovering from lung cancer surgery in Rome. What was your reaction, though, when you heard about it? Oh, devastating. That's the Pope. I mean, that's like God. The Vatican says the Pope underwent surgery on Tuesday that confirmed he has lung cancer. Doctors removed the lower lobe of the right lung, but the Vatican did not mention any treatment moving forward. People should look at this as a very dangerous disease, but at the same time very, very treatable, and far more treatable today than it was 20, 30 years ago when I started practicing. Dr. Peter Anastasio is a cardiothoracic surgeon specializing in lung cancer for Sutter Health CPMC. He is not part of the team treating the Pope. He says post-surgery treatment, such as chemotherapy, depends on whether the cancer has spread. We are surprised. But I mean, he's a human being, isn't he? After all, this happens to us. This happens to us all. I hope he's going to be okay, and I was wondering if he was a smoker. It's not publicly known if the Pope smokes. The doctor says lung cancer in non-smokers is becoming more prevalent, especially among women, likely due to pollution and other environmental factors. But oftentimes lung cancer is silent, and that's why really detection and being proactive in trying to get that detection is important because most people don't have symptoms. The Vatican describes Pope Leo's surgery as being successful without complications. People here say the 71-year-old being the first American to hold that position makes him extra special and relatable. That is what hits home the closest is that he's one of our people and we don't want him to be suffering in Italy with cancer. We obviously send our prayers hope he's gonna be okay. Dr. Anastasio tells me after lung cancer surgery patients are monitored closely for five years and he recommends annual CT scans indefinitely. Mike and Amber the Pope does have a scheduled trip to South America next month. We have to wonder if he's actually going to be able to make that trip. Well, oncologists often advise patients not to fly for three weeks after surgery, but doctors say it really depends on each individual case. It's possible, but hard to say at this point if the Pope may be able to travel on that trip on November 6th. A little more than three weeks away. All right, Amber Lee, live tonight here in studio. Amber, thank you.