Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer , according a statement by the Vatican on October 13, 2026
The lower lobe of his right lung has been removed after the diagnosis. The surgery was successful and there were no complications. 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.
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.
Lung cancer is a disease in which cells in the lung grow out of control, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 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.
Earlier reporting noted: The tests confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, the Vatican said in a medical bulletin after the surgery. It said the diagnosis had been suspected by preoperative tests and was confirmed during surgery. Pope Leo was seen waving to a supportive crowd of well-wishers before heading to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.
Earlier reporting noted: Pope Leo has lung cancer, lower lobe of right lung removed: Vatican Pope Leo XIV’s surgery confirmed that he has lung cancer, and he had the lower lobe of his right lung removed, the Vatican said Tuesday (October 13, 2026). Earlier reporting noted: The 71-year-old was in the operating room for about 3 hours, the statement said. The surgery itself lasted approximately 90 minutes.
Several of his supporters shouted “auguri” (best wishes) to their religious leader before his surgery. “The surgery was successful, and there were no complications,” the statement said.
