Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma after undergoing a successful surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, according to a medical bulletin released by the Vatican. The 71-year-old pontiff underwent the 90-minute procedure on Tuesday after a small nodule was detected during routine medical checks.
“The operation was successful and there were no complications,” the Vatican stated, adding that the entire lower lobe of the right lung was removed “to ensure the procedure was radical” and to clear any suspect tissue. Following a brief period of observation, the Pope awoke normally and returned to his room. Doctors are reportedly not discussing chemotherapy or other additional therapies pending further test results, while a Vatican source noted that further tests are underway to check if the cancer has spread.
Transparent Announcement and Global Reaction
In an unusually transparent move, the Chicago-born pontiff—who became the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in May of last year—announced the upcoming operation himself on Sunday during his traditional Angelus blessing from the balcony in St Peter’s Square. He told the gathered crowds that the nodule was contained and found at a very early stage, prompting him to follow medical advice to have it removed.
Despite Vatican assurances that the Pope had no symptoms of infection or illness and is generally considered fit and active, the news caught many by surprise. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin admitted to journalists that the announcement felt like a “bolt from the blue,” though he praised the Pope’s serenity. Well-wishers and Catholics gathered outside Gemelli Hospital as the pontiff arrived, offering prayers and cheers of support.
Hospital Recovery and Travel Plans
Pope Leo is expected to remain in the hospital’s 10th-floor private-patient wing for about a week to recover. The Vatican has cleared his schedule through October 20, meaning Wednesday’s weekly papal audience will be led by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the newly elected dean of the college of cardinals.
The medical intervention comes ahead of an ambitious 12-day Latin America tour scheduled for November 6–17, which includes stops in Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru—where the pontiff previously served as a missionary and bishop. Cardinal Tarcisio Isao of Tokyo, who had an audience with the Pope on Monday, noted that the pontiff felt physically fine and was eager to proceed with the surgery quickly to maintain his travel plans. It remains unclear whether the recovery period will ultimately alter the demanding itinerary.
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