Following a surgery to remove a lump from the lower lobe of his right lung, Vatican officials have confirmed that Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer.
BREAKING: Vatican confirms Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer. The Holy See has announced that the Holy Father's surgery this afternoon was successful, with no complications. Surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung using a video-assisted procedure. An examination during surgery confirmed pulmonary adenocarcinoma, a form of lung cancer which had been suspected following earlier tests. The Pope spent approximately three hours in the operating theatre, with the operation itself lasting around 90 minutes. He regained consciousness normally and has now returned to his hospital room. We should be thankful that the operation was successful, while recognising the seriousness of the diagnosis. The Vatican has not yet provided details of the cancer's stage or whether further treatment will be required. This is a moment to unite in prayer for the Holy Father, asking Our Lord to grant him healing, strength and a full recovery. Our Lady, Health of the Sick, pray for him. Source: Holy See Press Office, Bulletin No. 0809, 13 October 2026, shared by Vatican journalist @nicospuntoni in Rome.
— Mark Lambert (@sitsio) October 13, 2026
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. 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.
— CBS News (@CBSNews) October 13, 2026
BREAKING: Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, the Vatican confirms. The 71-year-old pontiff spent approximately three hours in the operating room, with doctors confirming a form of lung cancer during the procedure. The diagnosis had been suspected before the operation, but doctors now have confirmation. The Vatican says the surgery was successful and there were no complications.
— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 13, 2026
On October 11, Pope Leo announced that, following the advice of his doctors, he would be undergoing surgery to remove a “localized nodule” in one of his lungs. That 90-minute operation was successfully completed with no complications at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, Italy.
NOW: Pope Leo XIV arrives at Gemelli Hospital ahead of his lung operation, as a cheering crowd greets him outside. The pope smiled and gave a brief wave as he stepped out of his car before greeting doctors. Pope Leo is set to undergo surgery later in the day to remove a lung nodule.
— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 13, 2026
Tests from the operating room confirmed a diagnosis of pulmonary adenocarcinoma, which doctors had suspected during pre-operation evaluations.
Beyond the diagnosis and the confirmed success of the operation, no further information has been released regarding the 71-year-old Pope Leo’s health.
