Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery Tuesday to remove the lower lobe of his right lung after doctors confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, with the Vatican reporting no complications during the operation.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer following surgery Tuesday, October 13, at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung after confirming that a previously discovered nodule was malignant.
The Vatican announced the diagnosis in an evening medical bulletin, identifying the cancer as pulmonary adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer. Doctors had suspected the condition following earlier examinations, but testing conducted during the operation confirmed the diagnosis.
According to the Vatican’s official medical update, the 71-year-old pontiff spent approximately three hours in the operating room, with the surgical procedure itself lasting about 90 minutes.
“The surgery was successful, and there were no complications,” the Vatican said.
The operation was performed using a video-assisted surgical technique designed to remove the affected lung tissue while minimizing the invasiveness of the procedure. Doctors reported that Leo regained consciousness normally following surgery and returned to his hospital room after a period of observation.
The surgical team was led by Dr. Stefano Margaritora, chief of thoracic surgery at Gemelli, one of Italy’s leading medical institutions.
The Associated Press reported that the Vatican’s announcement marked the first confirmed cancer diagnosis of Leo’s 17-month papacy and followed his decision to publicly disclose the lung abnormality several days earlier.
During his Sunday noon prayer on October 11, Leo told worshippers that doctors had discovered a small, localized nodule during routine medical examinations and recommended removing it.
He described the finding as an early-stage abnormality and thanked the faithful for their support and prayers.
The disclosure represented an unusually open discussion of a pope’s personal medical condition, particularly before doctors had established whether the growth was cancerous.
Leo arrived at Gemelli hospital Tuesday afternoon after traveling from the Vatican. He entered through the main entrance and waved to supporters who had gathered outside to greet him.
While the operation was underway, clergy, medical personnel and members of the faithful gathered in the hospital chapel to pray for his recovery.
Cardinal Baldassare Reina, the vicar of Rome, led a Rosary service asking for the pope’s healing and offering prayers for other hospitalized patients.
The Vatican has indicated that Leo is expected to remain hospitalized for approximately one week while doctors monitor his recovery.
All papal audiences have been canceled through October 20, allowing the pontiff time to recover from the procedure.
Because Gemelli’s traditional papal apartment is undergoing renovations, Leo is staying in another room near the facility’s designated papal accommodations.
Although the surgery successfully removed the affected portion of his lung, questions remain about whether additional cancer treatment will be necessary.
Doctors will examine the removed tissue and surrounding lymph nodes to determine whether the malignancy was confined to the affected lung lobe or had spread elsewhere.
Those findings will help establish the cancer’s stage and guide decisions concerning further treatment.
Medical specialists said before the operation that early detection and removal of a localized lung cancer can provide favorable treatment outcomes. However, the Vatican has not yet released complete staging information or announced a long-term treatment plan.
The diagnosis also introduces uncertainty surrounding Leo’s scheduled November 6–17 trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, which would involve extensive international travel.
Vatican officials have not announced changes to the itinerary, although the pope’s participation will depend on his recovery and medical recommendations.
Leo, the first American-born pope, was elected in May 2025 and has generally maintained an active lifestyle that includes tennis and swimming.
Tuesday’s procedure represents his first major publicly disclosed medical challenge since becoming pontiff.
For now, the Vatican has emphasized that the surgery was completed successfully and without complications, while further medical assessments will determine the next steps in his treatment and recovery.
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