Pope Leo XIV undergoes surgery for cancer: What is lung adenocarcinoma?

Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer, according a statement by the Vatican on October 13, 2026

The 71-year-old spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church was in the operating room for about 3 hours, and the surgery itself lasted approximately 90 minutes. The lower lobe of his right lung has been removed after the diagnosis.

The surgery was successful and there were no complications.

The pontiff has lung adenocarcinoma, according to a bulletin by the Vatican. 

It added that tissue tests conducted during the operation confirmed what doctors had suspected from preparatory examinations. 

What is lung adenocarcinoma?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), lung cancer is a disease in which cells in the lung grow out of control. 

Lung cancers are grouped into two main types called non-small cell and small cell. 

The CDC website adds that “non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer” and “it grows more slowly and often doesn’t cause symptoms until it is advanced.” 

The website adds that adenocarcinoma, the type of cancer Pope Leo XIV is suffering from, is the “most common type of non-small cell lung cancer” and “begins in cells in the alveoli, which are tiny air sacs in the lungs that make mucus.” 

Current status of Pope Leo XIV’s health

The Pope regained consciousness normally after the operation and later returned to his hospital room, where he was resting, Reuters reports, while citing the Vatican’s medical bulletin.

It added that the Vatican had said earlier this week that he was expected to remain in hospital for about a week, and all his public events have been cancelled until October 20.

Pope Leo was seen waving to a supportive crowd of well-wishers before heading to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. Several of his supporters shouted “auguri” (best wishes) to their religious leader before his surgery.

The Christian leader is due to make an 11-day tour of Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 6 to 17, 2026, but it was not clear if the trip would still go ahead.

With inputs from Reuters