Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer after doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung in a successful operation at a Rome hospital, the Vatican has confirmed.
The 71-year-old pontiff underwent a 90-minute procedure at Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday, October 13, after a growth was discovered during routine medical examinations. Subsequent tests confirmed that he had pulmonary adenocarcinoma, a type of lung cancer.
“The operation was successful and there were no complications,” the Vatican said in a medical bulletin.
It added that the Pope woke up normally after surgery and returned to his room following a brief period of observation. According to the Vatican, doctors removed the entire lower lobe of his right lung to ensure the procedure was comprehensive. Further tests are being conducted to establish whether the cancer has spread to other parts of his body.
The Pope had announced his impending surgery on Sunday, October 11, during his traditional Angelus blessing at St Peter’s Square. He said the lung nodule had been detected at a very early stage and was contained, but doctors had recommended its removal. Although lung nodules are relatively common and are not always cancerous, examinations confirmed the suspected malignancy.
The Vatican has maintained that the pontiff had not displayed symptoms of infection or illness before the diagnosis. His official schedule has been cleared until October 20 to allow him time to recover in hospital.
The Pope reportedly opted to undergo surgery promptly because he is scheduled to travel to Latin America in early November. The trip includes Peru, where he previously served as a missionary and bishop for several years.
News of the diagnosis has prompted concern among Catholics worldwide, with crowds gathering outside Gemelli Hospital to offer prayers and encouragement as the pontiff was admitted.
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin admitted that the announcement had caught church leaders off guard.
“Am I worried? Yes, because I certainly wasn’t expecting anything like this,” Parolin told journalists on Tuesday.
He described the news as a “bolt from the blue” but said cardinals had been encouraged by the Pope’s calmness and remained confident about his recovery. Outside the hospital, Catholics continued praying for the pontiff, with some expressing shock at the diagnosis.
Another worshipper said the news had been particularly unexpected because she had assumed the Pope was younger and healthier when he was elected. The Vatican has not yet provided further details on the results of tests examining whether the cancer has spread.
