Vatican confirms Pope Leo XIV has lung adenocarcinoma after surgery

The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Leo XIV has lung adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer, following surgery to remove a cancerous mass from his lung. The 71-year-old pontiff underwent the procedure at Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.

Surgical Details and Recovery

Surgeons removed the lower lobe of the Pope's right lung. According to a statement from the Holy See Press Office, the operation lasted about 90 minutes, while the Pope was in the operating room for approximately three hours. The Vatican stated, "The surgery was successful, with no complications," and noted that the Pope "woke up normally after the surgery and returned to his room after brief observation."

Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora, the chief of Thoracic Surgery at Gemelli Hospital, issued a medical bulletin on October 14. They reported that blood tests and a chest X-ray showed the Pope was recovering normally. "The results confirm that his postoperative recovery is progressing normally: the values are within the expected range for the type of operation performed," the statement said. The doctors added that the Pope had begun respiratory physiotherapy, was walking around his room, and had resumed eating normally.

Diagnosis and Future Tests

The Vatican said the lump was first discovered during a "routine check-up." Pope Leo XIV had announced his upcoming surgery on Sunday, October 11, describing the nodule as "localized" and discovered at a "very early stage." The Vatican noted that the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma was "As suspected in pre-operative examinations."

While the surgery was deemed successful, questions remain regarding whether the cancer has spread. A Vatican source told AFP that the Pope is undergoing further examinations to determine this. Experts indicated that some lymph nodes were removed and tested, but those results have not yet been made public. The Vatican emphasized that the Pope's general health condition is considered good, with no signs of infection or disease.

Schedule and Reactions

The Pope's schedule has been cancelled until October 20 to allow for recovery. The Vatican has not changed the previously announced hospitalization time of one week. However, Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, Archbishop of Tokyo, stated that the Pope decided to undergo surgery as soon as possible because he planned to travel to Latin America in early November and hoped to stick to the plan. This trip includes Peru, where the Pope served as a missionary and bishop for many years.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, described the news as a "bolt from the blue" but said the cardinals were shocked by the Pope's "calmness" and were full of confidence in his recovery. Meanwhile, it is understood that the King, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, plans to privately write to the Pope to pass on his best wishes.

Why it matters

The confirmation of lung adenocarcinoma in Pope Leo XIV marks a significant health event for the head of the Roman Catholic Church. While the surgery was successful and initial recovery indicators are positive, the pending results on whether the cancer has spread will determine the long-term impact on his papacy and his planned international engagements, including a significant visit to Latin America.

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Sources

• mirror.co.uk: The Vatican issues Pope Leo XIV health update after cancer diagnosis - The Mirror
• bbc.com (in Chinese): Vatican confirms Pope has lung adenocarcinoma, but surgery successful - BBC News Chinese

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.