Pope Leo XIV is recovering from surgery to remove part of his right lung after a lung cancer diagnosis. Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori warned the pope's planned visit to Peru may be delayed.
Pope Leo XIV is recovering at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital following surgery to remove part of his right lung, which confirmed a diagnosis of lung cancer. While the Vatican stated the recovery was proceeding as expected, Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori warned that the pontiff’s planned visit to Peru might be jeopardized.
The 71-year-old pope underwent a procedure on Tuesday to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. According to the Vatican, the surgery was completed "successfully, on schedule and as planned." Dr. Stefano Margaritora, Gemelli’s chief thoracic surgeon, led the operation, which lasted approximately 90 minutes.
Post-operative tests confirmed the presence of adenocarcinoma, a type of non-small cell lung cancer. The Vatican noted that the nodule was detected during routine checks and was described by the pope as being at an "early stage" and "circumscribed." Dr. Luigi Carbone, the pope’s personal doctor, and Dr. Margaritora stated in a Wednesday update that blood tests and a chest X-ray "confirm a normal post-operative course: the values are within the expected range for the type of procedure performed."
The pope has begun walking around his hospital room and resumed a regular diet. He also celebrated Mass in a special chapel on the 10th floor of the hospital. The Vatican has not indicated whether the cancer has spread, noting that lymph node results have not yet been made public.
Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori expressed concern that the pope’s recovery timeline could affect his scheduled apostolic visit to Peru, which was set to begin Nov. 11. "We understand that his recovery will take several weeks longer than expected and, therefore, we also understand that there could be some changes to the schedule of his visit," Fujimori said in an interview on Peruvian television.
The planned itinerary for the pope’s trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru covers just over 31,000 kilometers (19,000 miles) and includes a dozen flights and two helicopter rides. Dr. Stephen Liu, a lung cancer expert at Georgetown’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, noted that oncology surgeons often advise patients not to fly for three weeks after surgery. "If it is Stage 1, he can complete these trips. If more treatment is needed, I would likely advise against the trips," Liu said.
Pope Leo, a Chicago native who spent more than two decades working in Peru, released a message thanking well-wishers. "As you know, I have been unable to be among you during these days," the message stated. "I thank you warmly for your prayers and for the work you have done together. Your sharing of experiences and attentive listening are indeed a gift to the whole Church."
The pope’s brother, Louis Prevost, is currently being treated for blood cancer, according to a source close to the family. The pope’s mother died of cancer in 1990, and his father died of colon cancer in 1997.
World leaders offered support. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he and his wife were praying for the pope. "May the Lord give him strength and the Holy Spirit guide the medical professionals taking care of the Holy Father," Rubio said on X. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier also wished Leo a speedy recovery, stating that the pope’s voice is "of particular importance and of value to many people worldwide."
The diagnosis marks the first major health issue of Pope Leo XIV’s 17-month papacy. His transparency regarding the condition contrasts with the historical secrecy of the Vatican concerning papal health. The potential delay of his Latin America visit highlights the logistical and physical challenges facing the leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics as he recovers.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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