Pope Leo XIV diagnosed with lung cancer after surgery to remove part of right lung
Pope Leo XIV, 71, has been diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, the Vatican announced on October 13.
Doctors at Rome's Gemelli Hospital confirmed lung adenocarcinoma, a common type of lung cancer, through tissue analysis conducted during the operation.
The surgery lasted approximately 90 minutes and was completed successfully without complications, according to the Vatican.
The Pope regained consciousness normally and returned to his hospital room after a period of observation.
Doctors used a video-assisted surgical technique to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, aiming to eliminate the cancerous tissue.
The Vatican has not disclosed the stage of the cancer or whether it has spread to the lymph nodes. Further examination of the removed tissue is expected.
Dr. Stephen Liu, a lung cancer specialist at Georgetown University, told Reuters that these findings would be crucial in determining the Pope's prognosis and whether additional treatment would be needed.
The Vatican said Leo is expected to remain hospitalized for approximately one week. His public engagements have been canceled through October 20.
The Pope had previously announced that doctors discovered a small lung nodule during a recent medical examination and recommended surgery.
Leo, the first American pope, was elected in May 2025 following the death of Pope Francis.
A planned November 6–17 visit to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru remains uncertain following the diagnosis.