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PopeLeo XIV has had surgery to remove a cancer, the Vatican has said, as experts explain what will happen next for the pontiff.

The Pope went to Agostino Gemelli University Policlinic in Rome on Tuesday to have tissue removed from his lung after it was found to be pulmonary adenocarcinoma, which doctors said was detected at ‘a very early stage’.

This is the most common form of lung cancer, and makes up around 40 percent of all cases.

Pope Leo had the growth removed, as well as a section from the lower lobe of his right lung as an additional precaution in the procedure, the Vatican has said.

Dr Juanita Mora is the national medical spokesperson for the American Lung Association, and shared that catching such a condition early means that the Pope should have a good prognosis.

“The fact that Pope Leo had a localised case of adenocarcinoma with an early-stage detection works in his favor,” she told CNN, “especially after surgical removal.”

Pulmonary adenocarcinoma is a type of non-small cell lung cancer, and often spreads and grows slower than other forms of lung cancer.

Pope Leo had the tumour removed from his lung (ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)

Dr Mora explained that the procedure will make it more difficult for Pope Leo to breathe for some time, but his lungs will start to adapt.

“Initially, it will be a little harder for him to breathe until the left lung starts to compensate for it,” she said.

There are also other factors which are working in the Pope’s favour, she said, including that he does not smoke and that aside from this he is a healthy 71-year-old, and exercises regularly, including playing tennis.

Nonetheless, she added that there are still more steps that doctors will take as Pope Leo moves into the post-surgery step. This will include respiratory therapy to help build his lung function back up.

It also makes him particularly vulnerable to respiratory infections, Mora said, but many people are able to live full lives.

“So obviously, a lot of people live and can fully do everything in terms of function and capacity, even with a lobectomy,” she said.

Leo may need to cancel an upcoming trip depending on his health (Simone Risoluti – Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images)

Mora explained that patients usually remain in hospital for a few days after surgery so doctors can keep an eye on their vitals, before moving to recovery at home once doctors are satisfied that their oxygen levels are stable.

“We’re hoping, though, that it’s just an isolated cancer where he’s one and done, in which now we see a survival rate of 80% to 98% when it comes to surgical removal,” Mora said. “But now we will have to wait for these tests.”

Pope Leo has a trip to South America scheduled next month, and whether he is able to go will depend on the test results, in which doctors will look at samples taken from the lymph nodes around his lung.

This will also determine whether he needs additional surgery or a course of chemotherapy, which may be necessary if the tests indicate that there are cancerous cells inside of the lymph nodes.

The former school of a man who died after entering the tiger enclosure at a zoo in Yorkshire has paid tribute to him.

William Chapman got into the enclosure at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, where he was attacked by a tiger living in the enclosure, with footage of the horrifying attack circulating widely on social media.

Tragically, Mr Chapman died of his injuries, and an investigation is now underway around the incident.

Since then, Mr Chapman’s former school, the Jackie Palmer Stage School & Agency, has released a statement on its Instagram page paying tribute to him.

“We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our former student, William Chapman,” said the statement.

“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with William’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.”

The statement added: “We loved watching William grow, both as a person and as a performer, during his time with us.

“It was a privilege to be part of his journey, and he will be remembered with great fondness by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Altai the Amur tiger lives at Yorkshire Wildlife Park (SWNS)

“William will be truly missed, and he will always hold a special place in our hearts.

“Rest in peace, William.”

Mr Chapman’s family have also released a statement paying tribute to him, and saying that he had ‘suffered significant mental illness’ over several years.

“The family are utterly devastated by their loss and are struggling to come to terms with what has happened,” the state, released on Tuesday, said.

The statement added: “The family are hopeful that the relevant authorities will do their upmost to get to the bottom of why our amazing son did what he did.”

Paying tribute to Mr Chapman, the statement added: “William was a bright, warm and engaging young man whom his family dearly loved – and William loved them back.”

The family also called out the sharing of ‘deeply offensive media content’ on social media in the aftermath of the incident.

“The publication and circulation of deeply offensive media content is causing them severe distress at an exceptionally vulnerable time. We ask people to stop doing this,” the statement said.

South Yorkshire Police have also asked that people stop sharing footage of the tragedy on social media.

Police at the scene of the tragedy (SWNS)

In a statement released on 10 October, South Yorkshire Police said: “At 1.35pm today (Saturday 10 October) we received reports of a man entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. The tiger subsequently attacked the man, resulting in serious injury.”

The statement added: “Following the incident, Yorkshire Wildlife Park was evacuated and officers remain on scene carrying out enquiries. We are aware of videos circulating online and we would encourage people not to share this footage.”

Mr Chapman had been a child actor, and appeared on programmes on the BBC and ITV as a child.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park has since confirmed that the tiger involved in the tragedy will not be euthanised as a result.

“We would like to thank everyone who has expressed their concern following yesterday’s tragic incident,” said the statement.

“Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies remain with the family and loved ones of the man who sadly lost his life.

“The park will be closed today while the staff team who were deeply affected by events receive specialist support.”

A business owner ended up getting more than he bargained for when he bought a house after a legal mixup meant that he ended up also owning the primary school next door.

Sukhjit Bains had bought the three bedroom house from Birmingham City Council at auction for £395,000, but when he was finalising the purchase his solicitor mistakenly sent him the incorrect kind of contract, which also included the school in the purchase.

This initial error was then also not noticed by the conveyancers at the council, who approved the purchase, making Mr Bains the legal owner of the three bedroom house, and George Dixon Primary School.

It would take an astonishing 10 years for the error to be noticed, when the school applied for status as an academy, the Daily Star reports.

Mr Bains reportedly only discovered he had been the unwitting owner of the school the whole time when the council had to make the awkward call to him to request that he give it back.

As technically speaking Mr Bains is the legal owner of the school, if he wanted to he could potentially do things like demand rent to use the property or even attempt to evict the school and demolish it.

He technically owns the school (Getty Stock)

Mr Bains runs a care provider called NH Care Ltd, and bought the property at auction back in 2013. The house itself was originally built as a cottage for the school caretaker, and it’s this link that created the circumstances which made the extraordinary mistake possible.

Due to their connection, both the school and the house are registered under the same number on the land registry.

When the contracts were being drawn up the form used was one called a TR1, which transfers all the property which is registered under a single number with the land registry.

That meant that no legal distinction was made between the former caretaker’s cottage that Mr Bains was purchasing, and the entire school which was registered under the same number.

When he found out about the bizarre situation Mr Bains initially agreed to return the school to the council.

However, since then he has stopped replying to the council, and has also declined to sign paperwork which has been sent over to him.

It is believed that the parents of the more than 300 pupils at the school were not aware of the situation.

The caretakers cottage (Google Street View)

Birmingham City Council has confirmed that it has now started legal proceedings in a bid to get the school returned to them after the colossal mistake, claiming that he has not answer letters, and phone calls, and that they have also been unable to reach him at his office in person as well after sending council officers to speak with him.

The city council, which went bankrupt in 2023, has launched a legal case against Mr Bains, as well as against Lloyds Bank who are his lender, with the case being pursued in the High Court in London.

In their case, the council sets out its formal demand that the school be returned to them, as well as saying that both the school and the playing fields attached cannot be sold without the permission of the Secretary of State.

A spokesperson for Birmingham City Council said: “The council is pursuing the appropriate legal process to rectify the position.

“As the matter is currently the subject of ongoing legal proceedings, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”