Pope Leo XIV Diagnosed With Lung Cancer, Part Of Right Lung Removed - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing surgery to remove part of his right lung, the Vatican has confirmed.

The 71-year-old pontiff is recovering at Rome's Agostino Gemelli University Hospital after a "successful" surgery on Tuesday, October 13.

According to a medical bulletin from the Holy See Press Office, doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung using a video-assisted technique to ensure radical removal of the tumor.

The tests confirmed a diagnosis of pulmonary adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer, which had been suspected from pre-operative tests.

"The Holy Father underwent thoracic surgery as scheduled. To ensure the radical removal of the tumor, the lower lobe of the right lung was removed".

"The surgery was successful and there were no complications," the Vatican said. 

The Pope was in the operating room for about three hours, while the surgery itself lasted about 90 minutes. He woke up normally and has returned to his room on the 10th floor of the hospital.

The American pontiff had himself announced on Sunday during his noon prayer in St. Peter's Square that doctors had discovered a small, localized nodule on his lung during a recent routine check-up and advised its removal.

The Vatican said further tests are being carried out to determine if the cancer has spread to lymph nodes and whether further treatment like chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapy will be needed. Doctors have not discussed chemotherapy at this stage.

This is the first major health challenge in the 17-month papacy of Pope Leo, who was elected in May 2025.

All his public audiences have been cancelled until October 20, and he is expected to spend about a week in hospital.