POPE Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing successful surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, the Vatican said.
AP reported on Wednesday that a medical bulletin issued after Tuesday’s operation confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, which had been suspected during preoperative examinations.
The Vatican said the surgery lasted about 90 minutes, with the 71-year-old pontiff spending approximately three hours in the operating room.
“The surgery was successful, and there were no complications,” the statement said, adding that the Pope had returned to his room.
The Vatican press office said the “radical” removal of the lung lobe indicated that doctors had removed all the suspected tissue. However, further test results are needed to determine whether the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes and whether additional treatment would be necessary.
The Vatican said doctors were not yet discussing chemotherapy or other therapies while awaiting the results of further examinations.
Dr Stephen Liu, a lung cancer expert at Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, said adenocarcinoma was the most common type of lung cancer and had a comparatively favourable prognosis, although the stage of the disease remained crucial.
“While we know the diagnosis we now need to know the stage,” he said.
“We now need to know how big it is, how many spots in the lung are involved. Is it just one nodule, or more than one, and the lymph nodes, are they cancerous?”
Liu said additional tests would be required if the cancer had spread to determine the most appropriate treatment, which could include chemotherapy, a combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, or targeted therapy.
The right lung has three lobes, while the left has two. Following the removal of one lobe, the remaining lung tissue can gradually compensate for some of the lost function.
The American-born pontiff had entered Rome’s Gemelli Hospital through its main entrance earlier on Tuesday, waving to well-wishers gathered outside.
The Vatican had announced the planned procedure after Leo disclosed the discovery of a localised lung nodule during his Sunday noon prayer. A lung nodule is an abnormal area measuring less than three centimetres that may be either benign or cancerous.
The Vatican cancelled all the Pope’s audiences through Oct 20 as he recovers.
It remains unclear whether the operation will affect his planned Nov 6-17 visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. The trip would be the longest overseas journey of his papacy so far, involving more than 31,000 kilometres of travel by air and several helicopter rides.
Oncologists have said patients are often advised to avoid flying for about three weeks after surgery, although Leo’s ability to travel will depend on his recovery and medical advice.
Cardinal Kikuchi Tsutomu, who met the Pope on Monday, said Leo had opted for surgery soon in order to avoid changing his future overseas travel plans. - October 14, 2026