Pope Leo XIV recovering after lung cancer surgery, Vatican says

The Big Picture

Pope Leo XIV is recovering at Rome's Gemelli Hospital after surgery that removed the lower lobe of his right lung and confirmed he has pulmonary adenocarcinoma, a form of lung cancer, the Vatican said.

The 71-year-old pontiff was walking in his hospital room, eating normally and receiving respiratory physiotherapy by Oct. 14, one day after the operation. His doctors said blood tests and a chest X-ray showed postoperative progress within the expected range and that his recovery was proceeding as planned.

The Vatican has not announced the cancer's formal stage, said whether it has spread or detailed whether Leo will need further treatment. Additional testing was underway or pending, according to reports citing Vatican information.

What Happened

Leo announced during his Oct. 11 Sunday blessing that doctors had found a small, localized nodule in his lung during recent medical examinations. He said it had been detected at a very early stage and was well-contained, adding that doctors had advised surgery.

He was admitted to Gemelli Hospital on Oct. 13. The Vatican said surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung using a video-assisted technique, describing the procedure as a radical resection intended to remove the affected tissue. The operation itself lasted about 90 minutes, although Leo spent roughly three hours in the operating room.

Intraoperative tissue testing confirmed pulmonary adenocarcinoma, the Vatican said. It added that the diagnosis had been suspected in preoperative tests. The surgery was successful and involved no complications, according to the Vatican. Leo regained consciousness normally and returned to his hospital room after a brief observation period.

An earlier Al Jazeera report had said the nodule was in Leo's left lung. Subsequent Vatican-based accounts, including reporting by the BBC and CBS News, said the surgery removed the lower lobe of his right lung.

Why It Matters

The diagnosis is the first major health event of Leo's pontificate. He became pope in 2025 and had no previously known serious health problems. Before entering the hospital, he had maintained a busy public schedule and was reported to be physically active, including playing tennis and swimming.

Leo's decision to publicly announce the nodule before the operation was an unusually direct disclosure of a pope's health condition. In his remarks, he thanked people for their support and asked for prayers.

Although Leo described the nodule as detected early, that statement should not be read as a formal cancer staging assessment. The Vatican has not released the information needed to establish the extent of the disease or a complete treatment plan.

What Happens Next

The Vatican had initially estimated that Leo would spend about a week recovering after surgery. It canceled the pope's audiences and appointments through Oct. 20.

His planned Nov. 6 to 17 trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru remains uncertain. The Vatican has not said whether the surgery, his recovery or any possible further treatment will alter the itinerary.

For now, the Vatican's most recent medical update points to a stable immediate recovery. The next significant questions concern the results of further testing and whether doctors recommend treatment beyond the operation.