Pope Leo XIV Diagnosed With Lung Cancer After Successful Surgery, Vatican Says
Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing successful surgery to remove part of his right lung, the Vatican has confirmed.
The 71-year-old pontiff underwent the operation at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. Doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung after earlier medical examinations identified a suspicious growth.
According to the Vatican, laboratory tests conducted during the operation confirmed that the pope had lung adenocarcinoma, a common type of lung cancer.
The surgery was completed successfully, and doctors reported no complications. The pope regained consciousness normally and returned to his hospital room after a short period of observation.
On Wednesday morning, the Vatican reported that the pope had spent a calm night in hospital. He remains under medical supervision as he begins his recovery.
Vatican Confirms Pope Leo’s Lung Cancer Diagnosis
The Vatican confirmed the diagnosis in a medical statement released following the operation.
Doctors said tests performed on tissue removed during surgery confirmed the suspected lung adenocarcinoma.
The surgical team removed the lower lobe of the pope’s right lung using a video-assisted technique. The procedure lasted approximately 90 minutes, although the pope spent around three hours in the operating room.
According to the medical statement, the operation was successful and proceeded without complications.
However, the Vatican has not disclosed the stage of the cancer or whether it had spread beyond the affected lung tissue. Doctors will need to examine the removed tissue further to determine the full extent of the disease.
The information available so far does not establish whether the pope will require additional treatment.
Pope Leo Recovering at Gemelli Hospital
Pope Leo is recovering at Gemelli Hospital, one of Rome’s major medical centres.
The Vatican said he regained consciousness normally after surgery and returned to his room following a brief period of observation.
In its latest update on Wednesday, the Holy See Press Office said the pope had spent a calm first night in hospital. Officials indicated that further information would be provided as his recovery continued.
The pontiff is expected to remain in hospital for approximately one week, according to the previously announced medical plan.
His public engagements have been cancelled through October 20 to allow time for recovery.
The Vatican has not announced any change to the hospitalisation schedule. Medical staff will continue monitoring his condition and carrying out follow-up examinations.
How Doctors Discovered the Lung Cancer
The diagnosis followed the discovery of a small lung nodule during medical examinations.
A lung nodule is a small growth in the lung. Such growths can have different causes, and some are not cancerous. Doctors may recommend additional tests or surgery when a growth appears suspicious.
In Pope Leo’s case, medical examinations raised concerns that led doctors to recommend removing the affected tissue.
The operation allowed surgeons to remove the lower lobe of his right lung and examine the tissue directly.
The Vatican said an examination conducted during the procedure confirmed lung adenocarcinoma, which doctors had suspected before surgery.
However, important questions remain unanswered, including the cancer’s stage and whether further treatment will be necessary.
What Is Lung Adenocarcinoma?
Lung adenocarcinoma is a form of non-small cell lung cancer. It develops in cells that line the lungs and is one of the most common types of lung cancer.
Treatment depends on factors such as the size of the tumour, its location and whether cancer cells have spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
Surgery can be an important treatment option when doctors determine that the affected tissue can be removed. Some patients may also need additional treatment, depending on the results of further examinations.
In the pope’s case, the Vatican has confirmed that surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung. However, officials have not released enough information to establish his long-term prognosis.
Medical experts have stressed that the cancer’s stage is an important factor in assessing the likely outcome.
Pope’s Public Schedule Remains Uncertain
Pope Leo XIV became head of the Catholic Church in May 2025 following the death of Pope Francis.
Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago in 1955, he spent decades serving as a priest and bishop, including many years in Peru, before his election as pope.
His diagnosis has drawn international attention, with Catholics and religious leaders awaiting further information about his health.
The pope is scheduled to undertake a trip to South America in November, with planned visits to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. It remains unclear whether his recovery will affect the itinerary.
For now, the Vatican’s immediate focus is his recovery following surgery.
Although the operation was successful, the stage of the cancer and the possibility of further treatment remain unknown. Additional medical updates are expected to provide a clearer picture of the pope’s condition in the coming days.
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