The news came directly from the Vatican. Hours after Pope Leo XIV, 71, underwent surgery in Rome, the Holy See revealed that he has lung cancer. The disease was found after a successful operation was conducted on him, removing a nodule from his lung.
© Getty Images“The Holy Father underwent thoracic surgery, as planned. To ensure a radical resection, the lower lobe of the right lung was removed using a video-assisted technique. An intraoperative histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, as suspected from the preoperative examinations," explained Pope Leo's doctors.
To make sure the cancer was removed completely, the surgeons took out the entire lower lobe of his right lung, using a minimally invasive, camera-guided technique.
“The Holy Father was in the operating room for approximately three hours; the operation itself lasted about 90 minutes. The surgery was successful, and there were no complications," continued the doctors' bulletin.
"Following the surgery, the Pope awoke normally and, after a brief period of observation, returned to his room on the 10th floor.”
© Getty ImagesA smile at the hospital doors
Earlier that day, Leo had arrived at the hospital at around 1 p.m. in an official vehicle, looking calm and sending a smile to the cameras. Dressed in his white cassock, he took a few moments to greet the faithful who had gathered outside to offer their prayers and support, shaking hands before heading inside. At the main entrance, he was welcomed by the hospital’s leadership, who accompanied him through admission and oversaw the preparations ahead of surgery.
The diagnosis didn’t come entirely out of the blue. On Sunday, October 11, Leo himself told pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square that doctors had found a localized nodule in his lung during recent medical exams, and that he’d decided, on their advice, to have it removed.
“It was detected at a very early stage and is well contained,” he said, as reported by Reuters.
The Vatican has said his recovery is expected to take about a week in the hospital, and all of his public engagements have been canceled through October 20.
It marks the first major health event of a pontificate that began just 17 months ago, in May 2025.
© Getty ImagesWhat is lung adenocarcinoma?
Lung adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that develops in the glandular cells of the lung. These cells are responsible for producing mucus and other secretions.
The cancer typically grows in the outer, peripheral areas of lung tissue, and while it can progress slowly, it has the ability to spread to other organs quickly if it isn’t caught in time.
It’s the most common subtype of non-small cell lung cancer, accounting for roughly 40 percent of all lung cancers, as cited by NPR. It can develop in both smokers and people who have never smoked, which makes it a relevant health concern across a wide range of populations.
Symptoms that may appear before it’s detected include a persistent cough, shortness of breath, pain in the chest or upper back, and coughing up blood.
© AFP via Getty Images
