Pope Leo XIV diagnosed with lung cancer after surgery

VATICAN CITY: Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung at a hospital in Rome. The Vatican confirmed the diagnosis in a medical bulletin on Tuesday, saying tissue examination during the procedure revealed lung adenocarcinoma.

The 71-year-old pontiff underwent the 90-minute operation at Agostino Gemelli University Hospital. The procedure was completed successfully, with no complications reported. According to the Vatican, the Pope woke up normally and was resting in his hospital room following surgery.

Professor Stefano Margaritora, head of thoracic surgery at the hospital, said surgeons removed the affected portion of the Pope’s right lung using a video-assisted technique. The procedure was intended to treat the localised lung abnormality.

Doctors had suspected the condition before the operation after identifying a small lung nodule during medical examinations. Pope Leo had spoken publicly about the finding during his Angelus address on Sunday, explaining that the growth had been detected at an early stage.

He said he had decided to undergo surgery on the advice of his medical team. He also thanked people for their support and prayers as he prepared for the procedure.

The Pope travelled from the Vatican to Gemelli Hospital shortly before 1pm local time on Tuesday. He was seen waving from a black SUV as his convoy made its way through Rome.

The Vatican expects Leo to remain in hospital for approximately one week. His public engagements have been cancelled until October 20 as he recovers from the operation.

The pontiff had been scheduled to lead a Mass in St Peter’s Square on Wednesday. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle is expected to celebrate the Mass in his place.

The diagnosis could also affect the Pope’s planned 11-day visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17. The trip remains listed on the Vatican’s official calendar, but no announcement has been made about a possible change to the schedule.

The Vatican’s medical bulletin did not specify the extent of the cancer beyond the information provided about the affected lung tissue. It also offered no details about additional tests or whether the Pope would require further treatment.

Born Robert Prevost in Chicago in 1955, Leo was elected head of the Catholic Church in May 2025. Before his election, he spent decades working as a missionary and serving as a bishop in Peru.

The Pope is the spiritual leader of an estimated 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide. While his recovery may temporarily limit his public activities, the Vatican’s administrative functions continue during periods when a pontiff is ill or unable to attend engagements.

Leo has previously spoken about serious health challenges. In an account published in a book by Penguin Peru, he recalled being hospitalised with typhoid fever in Chulucanas in 1985, when he was a young priest. He described the experience as extremely painful and later reflected on his survival as a reminder of his continuing responsibilities.

Further information about the Pope’s recovery and any additional medical treatment is expected as the Vatican provides updates.