Pope Leo XIV Undergoes Successful Lung Surgery for Cancer

Last updated: October 14, 2026 8:04 am

2 weeks ago

1 Min Read

Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma after undergoing successful surgery to remove a lower lobe of his right lung. The Vatican confirmed the diagnosis following the procedure at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, which lasted about 90 minutes and had no complications.

The 71-year-old pontiff is expected to recover in hospital for approximately one week, leading to the cancellation of his public events until October 20. This health update comes as the Pope maintains a busy schedule, including an upcoming tour of South America.

Pope Leo XIV Diagnosed with Lung Cancer Following Successful Surgery

Vatican confirms pontiff had a lower lobe of his right lung removed; doctors suspect common form of cancer.

Pope Leo XIV addresses the faithful during the Sunday Angelus prayer. (Vatican Pool | Getty Images)

Cancer Confirmed After Lung Lobe Removal

Pope Leo XIV was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer, after doctors successfully removed a lower lobe of his right lung during surgery on Tuesday. The Vatican released a medical bulletin detailing the procedure and diagnosis, confirming suspicions from earlier examinations.

The 71-year-old pontiff was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital for the operation to remove a growth discovered during a recent health checkup. Professor Stefano Margaritora, chief of thoracic surgery at Gemelli, stated that the lower lobe was removed using a video-assisted technique to ensure a curative procedure. Intraoperative histological examination confirmed the diagnosis.

The surgery, which lasted approximately 90 minutes, concluded without complications. The Pope has since awakened and is resting comfortably in his hospital room. No further details were provided in the statement.

Expected Hospital Stay and Future Engagements

Pope Leo is expected to remain in the hospital for about a week. All his public engagements have been canceled through October 20. He departed the Vatican for the Gemelli hospital shortly before 1 p.m. Rome time on Tuesday, waving to well-wishers upon arrival.

Elected in May 2025, Pope Leo, born Robert Prevost in Chicago in 1955, is considered relatively young for a pontiff and is known for his active lifestyle, including sports like tennis. He is not known to be a smoker and has had no recent major health issues.

This follows the hospitalization of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who was admitted several times in his later years and passed away in April 2025 at the age of 88. Pope Leo maintains a demanding schedule and is slated for an eleven-day tour of Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 6 to 17.

Past Health Concerns and Papal Authority

The Pope holds the ultimate earthly authority for the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, with no direct deputy to assume duties during his illness. However, the Vatican's administrative functions continue even when a Pope is incapacitated, though decisions requiring papal approval are deferred.

Prior to his papacy, as a young priest in 1985, Pope Leo experienced a severe bout of typhoid fever in Chulucanas, Peru, which required hospitalization. He described the intense pain and his plea for divine intervention, viewing his survival as a sign of continued purpose on Earth.