Pope Leo diagnosed with lung cancer after surgery in Rome

Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer after surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung during an operation in Rome on Tuesday, the Vatican said in a medical bulletin.

The 71-year-old pontiff has lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer. Tissue tests carried out during the operation confirmed what doctors had suspected from preparatory examinations, the bulletin said, The Express Tribune and Geo News reported.

A “curative” operation

“In order to make the procedure curative, the lower lobe of the right lung was removed using a video-assisted technique,” said Professor Stefano Margaritora, head of thoracic surgery at the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital and the Pope’s lead surgeon.

“A rapid intraoperative histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, as had been suspected from the pre-operative tests,” his update said.

The operation lasted about 90 minutes and was completed without complications, the Vatican said. The Pope woke up normally and was resting in his room.

The bulletin did not give further details about the extent of the cancer, the results of any other tests, or whether more treatment would be needed.

Disclosed in advance

The Pope revealed the growth himself during his Angelus address on Sunday, saying a small nodule had been found at a very early stage during a routine check-up and was well localised.

“The doctors believe that it is best to intervene, so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to remove it,” he said, thanking people for their support and prayers.

His decision to make the surgery public beforehand stood out at the Vatican. His predecessor, Pope Francis, was taken to hospital several times in his later years, but those visits were not usually announced in advance, Geo News reported.

Leo left the Vatican shortly before 1pm local time on Tuesday and was seen waving from a black SUV as his convoy travelled to the hospital, where he greeted officials and well-wishers.

A week in hospital

• Hospital stay: about a week, the Vatican said
• Engagements: all public engagements are cancelled until October 20
• Wednesday Mass: Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle will lead the Mass in St Peter’s Square in his place
• South America trip: an 11-day visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17 remains on the Vatican’s calendar, with no change announced

While the Pope is unable to work, the Vatican’s day-to-day administration continues, but decisions that need papal approval may have to wait.

The first American pope

Leo, born Robert Prevost in Chicago in 1955, was elected in May 2025 as the first American pope. Before that he spent decades as a missionary and bishop in Peru. He is the spiritual leader of the world’s estimated 1.4 billion Catholics.

In a book published by Penguin Peru, he recalled being hospitalised with typhoid fever in Chulucanas in 1985 as a young priest, saying the pain was so severe that he asked God to let him die, but later saw his survival as a sign that he still had work to do.

Why it matters

As the leader of an estimated 1.4 billion Catholics, the Pope’s recovery will be watched closely around the world. His choice to announce the surgery in advance also marked a break from how the Vatican handled his predecessor’s hospital stays. Read our report on the Pope’s visit to France.

This article draws on reporting by The Express Tribune, Geo News and the Vatican.