Pope Leo XIV is recovering well after surgery to remove a lung lobe, with doctors reporting normal tests. However, his planned November trip to South America faces uncertainty due to recovery time.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
Pope Leo XIV spent a peaceful night at Rome’s Gemelli hospital following successful surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, the Vatican said. The procedure, performed on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer. By Wednesday, Oct. 14, the 71-year-old pontiff had resumed a regular diet, begun walking, and was undergoing respiratory exercises.
Dr. Luigi Carbone and thoracic surgeon Dr. Stefano Margaritora reported that blood tests and a chest X-ray showed the pope’s recovery was proceeding normally. "The Holy Father underwent respiratory physiotherapy and has begun walking in his room. He resumed his regular diet and had breakfast and lunch," they stated. "Recovery is proceeding as planned."
The Vatican said the surgery lasted approximately 90 minutes and was successful with no complications. Doctors described the removal of the lobe as "radical," indicating they removed all suspect tissue. While the right lung has three lobes and the left has two, experts noted that remaining lung tissue can gradually compensate, particularly in physically active individuals. Leo is known for his interest in sports, including weekly tennis and swimming.
However, questions remain about whether the cancer has spread. Lymph nodes were removed and tested, but those results have not been made public. Dr. Stephen Liu, a lung cancer expert at Georgetown’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, who is not involved in the pope’s care, noted that adenocarcinoma has the most favorable prognosis. "While we know the diagnosis, we now need to know the stage," Liu 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?"
The Vatican has not announced changes to Leo’s planned trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, scheduled for Nov. 6-17. However, Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori suggested the visit might be altered. "We understand that this recovery will take several weeks, longer than expected," Fujimori told reporters. "We also understand that there could be some changes to the schedule of his visit."
The itinerary is the longest of Leo’s papacy, covering just over 31,000 kilometers (19,000 miles) with a dozen flights and two helicopter rides, including a significant change in altitude in Peru. 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.
Leo’s announcement of his health issue marks a departure from the Vatican’s historical secrecy regarding papal health. He revealed the discovery of a lung nodule during his Sunday noon prayer, describing it as being at an "early stage." He did not use the word cancer in that announcement, though preoperative tests had led doctors to suspect it.
Giovanni Maria Vian, a church historian and former editor-in-chief of the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano, called the transparency "truly a revolution." "It was like he was reading a medical bulletin himself," Vian said. Historically, the Vatican tightly controlled health information, as seen in the cases of St. John XXIII and St. John Paul II. Vian attributed the traditional secrecy to the practical reality that "the pope has absolute power," making health information a potential target for those aspiring to that power.
The outcome of the lymph node tests will determine if Pope Leo XIV requires further treatment, such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy, and will directly influence whether he can undertake his demanding November trip to South America. His approach to health transparency also signals a potential shift in how the Vatican communicates with the public.
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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