Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer following a surgical procedure to remove a nodule from his right lung, the Vatican announced Tuesday. Medical tests confirmed the 71-year-old pontiff has pulmonary adenocarcinoma after doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung during a 90-minute operation at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic.
According to a medical bulletin released by the Holy See Press Office, the diagnosis had been suspected during preoperative evaluations and was subsequently confirmed by intraoperative histological examination. The entire procedure, led by Gemelli’s chief thoracic surgeon Dr. Stefano Margaritora, lasted approximately 90 minutes, with the pope spending about three hours total in the operating room. The Vatican stated that the operation was successful, completed on schedule, and performed without any complications.
Hospital Recovery and Canceled Audiences
Following the surgery, Pope Leo regained consciousness normally and was transferred back to his room on the 10th floor of the hospital. The Vatican reported that he is currently resting and continuing his recovery. Church officials have announced that all of the pope’s scheduled audiences have been canceled through October 20 as he undergoes an expected one-week recuperation period at the hospital.
Well-wishers and Catholic leaders around the world have offered prayers for the pontiff’s swift recovery. Pulmonary adenocarcinoma, the specific type of non-small cell lung cancer diagnosed in the pope, is known to grow more slowly than other forms of the disease and accounts for a significant portion of all lung cancer cases.
Medical Team and Next Steps
The surgery took place after the pope arrived at Gemelli Hospital at 1 p.m. on Tuesday. Medical Director Andrea Cambieri greeted the pontiff upon his arrival prior to the operation. The Vatican has pledged to provide further updates regarding his health and recovery timeline as he remains under medical observation at the hospital atop Monte Mario in Rome.
