Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, the confirmed on Tuesday, 13 October.
The operation was completed successfully, with doctors removing the affected portion of the , but further medical assessments are expected to determine the next steps in his treatment.
According to the Vatican’s medical bulletin, tests confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer that develops in glandular cells. The condition had been suspected before the operation and was confirmed during .
The 71-year-old pontiff underwent the procedure at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he is now recovering. The Vatican said the operation was successful and that there were no complications.
The diagnosis marks a significant development in the health of the head of the , whose medical condition had attracted attention after the discovery of a lung nodule.
Pope Leo underwent surgery to remove a small, localised nodule from his lung after the abnormality was detected during . The procedure involved removing the lower lobe of his right lung.
According to the Associated Press report published by CBS News, the operation lasted approximately 90 minutes, with the spending around three hours in the operating room.
The Vatican described the removal as radical, indicating that doctors had removed the affected tissue. However, further tests, including examinations of the lymph nodes, are needed to establish whether the has spread.
No definitive treatment plan has been announced. The Vatican has indicated that doctors are awaiting additional results before discussing whether further treatment, including , will be necessary.
The pontiff is expected to remain at Gemelli Hospital during his . His public engagements have been suspended, with audiences cancelled through 20 October, according to CBS News.
The interruption comes as Pope Leo continues his responsibilities as leader of the Catholic Church, which has millions of followers around the world. His health is therefore being closely watched by Catholics and observers of the Vatican.
The diagnosis has also raised questions about his upcoming international commitments. A planned trip to in November remains uncertain and will depend on his recovery and medical advice.
For now, doctors are concentrating on his recovery and awaiting further test results. The findings will help establish the extent of the disease and whether additional treatment is required.
ABC News reported on the pontiff’s departure for hospital ahead of the operation, while Vatican News confirmed that the surgery had been completed successfully.
Although the successful procedure is an encouraging development, the full medical picture remains unclear. The Vatican has yet to provide a detailed , leaving the next stage of Pope Leo’s recovery dependent on the results of further examinations.
