Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing surgery to remove a portion of his right lung, the Vatican confirmed Tuesday.
The 71-year-old pontiff is recovering at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Hospital following the procedure.
The surgeons removed the lower lobe of the pope’s right lung and the extraction confirmed a "lung adenocarcinoma"—the most common type of lung cancer, Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora said in a statement released by the Holy See Press Office.
The operation, which took around 90 minutes, "was successful and there were no complications," according to the statement.
Leo is now awake after his surgery and has returned to his room on the hospital’s 10th floor.
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The pope revealed on Sunday that doctors had discovered a localized nodule in his lung during recent medical examinations. He said the growth had been detected at an early stage and that doctors recommended surgery to remove it.
Further medical assessments will help determine whether additional treatment is necessary.
When Will the Pope Resume His Duties?
The Vatican has canceled the pope’s public engagements through October 20 while he recovers. He is expected to remain in the hospital for approximately a week, according to news reports.
His November visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru are expected to continue as planned.
What Is Adenocarcinoma?
Adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that develops in glandular cells, which produce substances such as mucus. In the lungs, it is the most common type of non-small cell lung cancer and often develops in the outer regions of the lungs.
Lung adenocarcinoma can occur in smokers and non-smokers, and it is also diagnosed in people with no history of tobacco use. Symptoms may include a persistent cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing up blood or unexplained weight loss, although some patients have no noticeable symptoms in the early stages.
Treatment depends on the cancer's stage, its precise characteristics and the patient's overall health. Options may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapies or immunotherapy.
When lung adenocarcinoma is detected early and can be completely removed surgically, the outlook may be more favorable. However, the need for further treatment and the long-term prognosis depend on pathology results and whether the cancer has spread.
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Successful Surgery Removed Nodule From His Lung
According to the Vatican, the pope's lower lobe of his right lung was removed during the surgery.
The surgery used a video-assisted technique, the statement read.
On Sunday, Leo announced the surgery, saying in his Sunday noon blessing, “Dear friends, during some recent medical examinations, doctors found a localized nodule in my lung. It was detected at a very early stage and is well localized. The doctors believe surgery is appropriate. Following their advice, I have therefore decided to undergo an operation to remove it.”
Jonathan Reiner, professor of medicine and surgery interventional cardiologist, told CNN on Tuesday in part that we don't know how early the cancer has been diagnosed.
"Lung cancer caught very early can be completely cured," he said. "Even more extensive lung cancer now can be very effectively treated with a variety of modalities such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and now increasingly immunotherapy. So, lung cancer today does not have nearly the kind of dire prognosis that it had even as recently as 10 years ago."
When Was Pope Leo Selected?
Leo was chosen as the new pontiff in May 2025 by the College of Cardinals, marking the first time in history that an American pope was selected. The decision followed Pope Francis' death on April 21, 2025.
Support Pours in for Pope Leo
News of the diagnosis spread on social media as religious and political leaders shared their best wishes for Leo.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops reacted on X, in part saying, "We ask the faithful to continue praying for Pope Leo’s recovery and for the doctors and staff caring for him. We also hold in prayer all who are living with cancer, their families, and those who care for them."
Senator Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat, said on X, "Pope Leo is in my prayers, as are the more than a billion around the world who look to him for spiritual guidance, strength, and healing."
Archbishop Ronald Hicks said, "We thank God that the surgery on Pope Leo was, by all accounts, successful, and that he continues his recovery and recuperation. I know that I join with people from all corners of @ny_arch, across the country, and around the world in keeping the Holy Father in our prayers."
Christopher Hale, publisher of a Substack covering Pope Leo XIV and a former Catholic outreach staffer for ex-President Barack Obama's campaign, told Newsweek when asked about the initial news of Leo's diagnosis, "I’ll just speak candidly: I’m terrified. Obviously, any kind of cancer diagnosis is concerning. We don’t know all the details, but the word cancer connotes something that is difficult for many of us to process."
Hale added: "I think it’s also really important to understand that we lost Pope Benedict in 2022, when he was emeritus, and we lost Francis in April 2025. We’re only just getting to know Pope Leo XIV. He’s been pope for 15 or 16 months, but he’s still a new pope. And I think we need to consider what he means on the world stage. We live in a world ruled by autocrats, bullies, and people who defy everything I believe a Christian leader should stand for. Leo XIV has been an antidote to that. He’s been a balm. I think the entire Church is going to rally behind Leo XIV. We want him to be well. I dare say we need him to be well."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on X, "Jeanette and I are united in prayer for @PONTIFEX’s health following his recent diagnosis. May the Lord give him strength and the Holy Spirit guide the medical professionals taking care of the Holy Father."
Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here. Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Anna Commander and Edward T. Cummins