Pope Leo XIV is recovering in hospital after surgery to remove a cancerous growth from his right lung, with the Vatican confirming that the 71-year-old pontiff has been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The diagnosis was confirmed during an operation at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday, 13 October, after earlier medical examinations identified a nodule in his lung. The Vatican said the procedure was successful and that no complications occurred, according to CBS News.
The news marks a significant health development for the leader of the Catholic Church, who had informed worshippers just days earlier that doctors had found a localised lung nodule and recommended surgery to remove it.
According to the Vatican’s medical bulletin, surgeons removed the lower lobe of the Pope’s right lung using a video-assisted technique. Although he spent approximately three hours in the operating room, the operation itself lasted around 90 minutes.
Following the procedure, Pope Leo regained consciousness normally and returned to his room on the hospital’s 10th floor. A subsequent Vatican update said he had spent a calm first night in hospital, with further information expected as his recovery continues.
What is lung adenocarcinoma?
The Vatican confirmed that the Pope has lung adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer that develops in glandular cells and is commonly found in the lungs.
The diagnosis was suspected before the operation and confirmed through an examination of tissue during surgery.
However, the Vatican has not disclosed the cancer’s stage or confirmed whether it has spread beyond the affected area. It has also not provided a detailed account of any additional treatment that may be required.
Those details will be important in understanding the pontiff’s longer-term outlook, but there is not yet enough publicly available information to draw conclusions about his prognosis.
The operation’s successful completion is an encouraging immediate development, although his medical team will continue monitoring his condition during recovery.
Pope had revealed the lung nodule days before surgery
The announcement followed a public update from Pope Leo on Sunday, when he told people gathered for the Angelus prayer at St Peter’s Square that recent medical examinations had identified a small, localised nodule in his lung.
He said doctors had detected it at an early stage and recommended an operation. The Pope said he had decided to follow their advice and thanked people for their support and prayers.
The disclosure offered an unusual degree of openness about the health of the pontiff, who was elected in May 2025.
His admission also meant that news of the surgery was known before he entered hospital, although the confirmation of cancer came only after the operation.
The Vatican has indicated that Pope Leo is expected to remain in hospital for approximately a week following the operation.
His public engagements have been cancelled through 20 October while he recovers. Further updates are expected as doctors continue assessing his condition.
The status of his planned trip to South America in November has also drawn attention, although the Vatican has not provided a definitive update on the visit in the information available so far.
For Catholics around the world, the diagnosis has brought renewed attention to the Pope’s health and the coming days of his recovery.
For now, the Vatican has confirmed that the surgery was completed successfully, that the cancer diagnosis was established during the procedure and that the pontiff regained consciousness normally. Further medical details will be needed to clarify what lies ahead.
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Picture: Vatican Pool / Gallo Images
