Pope Leo diagnosed with lung cancer after successful surgery, Vatican says
Surgeons removed the lower lobe of the 71-year-old pontiff's right lung in Rome after tests confirmed adenocarcinoma.
Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing surgery to remove part of his right lung on Tuesday, the Vatican said.
Tests carried out during the operation confirmed lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer that doctors had suspected during preliminary examinations. The 71-year-old pontiff, the first US-born leader of the 1.4 billion-member Roman Catholic Church, is awake and resting in his hospital room following the procedure.
The operation took place at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome. The Holy See said the intervention was "successful, on schedule and as planned", with no complications reported.
What happened during the surgery
Pope Leo spent approximately three hours in the operating theatre, with the surgical procedure lasting around 90 minutes.
"In order to make the procedure curative, the lower lobe of the right lung was removed using a video-assisted technique," the lead surgeon, Professor Stefano Margaritora, said in a medical bulletin. Margaritora added that a rapid histological examination conducted during the operation confirmed the malignancy.
| Detail | Record |
|---|---|
| Patient age | 71 |
| Procedure duration | Around 90 minutes |
| Hospital | Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, Rome |
| Lead surgeon | Prof. Stefano Margaritora |
| Condition confirmed | Lung adenocarcinoma |
| Audiences paused until | 20 October |
Early detection and medical history
The surgical intervention followed an unusual public disclosure by the Pope himself. During his Sunday noon prayer, he announced that doctors had discovered a small nodule on his lung and that he would undergo an operation to remove it.
A pulmonary nodule is a growth measuring under three centimetres that is frequently detected during routine scans. Oncologists had noted prior to Tuesday's operation that the Pope's prognosis remained favourable because the growth was identified and excised at an early stage.
Pope Leo is generally known for maintaining an active physical routine, swimming regularly and playing tennis each week. The procedure marks only his second recorded hospital admission. His first occurred in 1985, when he contracted typhoid fever while serving as a missionary priest in Chulucanas, Peru.
What happens next
The Vatican has suspended all papal audiences and official engagements until 20 October to allow him time to convalesce in hospital.
Dozens of well-wishers gathered outside the Gemelli clinic ahead of the procedure. Official reactions have also begun to emerge abroad, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that he and his wife were "united in prayers" for the pontiff's recovery.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Pope's age | 71 | The Vatican |
| Duration of surgery | Around 90 minutes | Professor Stefano Margaritora |
| Time spent in operating theatre | Around three hours | Professor Stefano Margaritora |
| Date until appointments are cancelled | 20 October | The Vatican |
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| The Vatican | Holy See administration that issued statements on the Pope's health |
| Pope Leo XIV | Head of the Roman Catholic Church who underwent surgery for lung adenocarcinoma |
