Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, the Vatican confirmed.
The 71-year-old pontiff underwent the operation at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on October 13. Tests during surgery confirmed lung adenocarcinoma, which doctors had suspected following examinations before the procedure.
According to the Associated Press, he spent around three hours in the operating room, with surgery lasting approximately 90 minutes.
“The surgery was successful, and there were no complications,” the Vatican’s medical bulletin said.
Pope Leo faces hospital recovery after lung surgery
Leo had publicly announced the discovery of a growth on his lung during his Sunday Angelus prayer on October 11. He said doctors had found it during a checkup and described it as “well-contained” and detected early.
He told those gathered in St Peter’s Square that he had decided to undergo surgery on his doctors’ advice, The Guardian reported.
Vatican News reported that routine medical examinations had identified the nodule. The operation was led by Professor Stefano Margaritora and the hospital’s thoracic surgery team.
On arrival at Gemelli, Leo greeted hospital officials and approached patients before entering the building. He had completed his scheduled audiences the previous morning.
The pope is expected to remain in hospital for about a week, with public engagements canceled until October 20, as per Reuters.
Leo, who was elected in May 2025, is scheduled to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru in November. The surgery marks the first major publicly disclosed health issue of his papacy.
