Wednesday 14 October 2026 05:10
Pope diagnosed with lung cancer after surgery in Rome
Vatican says the pontiff’s operation went well, and a health update is expected later on Wednesday.Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing surgery at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, the Vatican announced on Tuesday night.
A medical bulletin said that surgeons had removed the lower lobe of the pope's right lung during the 90-minute operation. The bulletin described the procedure as “radical”, which the Vatican press office explained means that all suspect tissue was removed.
An examination during the operation confirmed lung adenocarcinoma, as had been suspected from pre-operative tests. The bulletin was signed by Dr Luigi Carbone, head of the Vatican’s health service, and Professor Stefano Margaritora, who led the surgical team.
The Vatican said there were no complications. Leo woke normally and, after a short period of observation, returned to his room on the 10th floor. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said he asked for dinner when he came round.
The pope had arrived at the hospital at lunchtime, greeting well-wishers who had gathered outside. He announced on Sunday, after the Angelus, that he would have a lung nodule removed. The Vatican said it was found during routine checks.
Stage still unknown
The bulletin did not mention further treatment. The Vatican said doctors are not currently speaking of chemotherapy or other therapies, pending the results of other tests.
Post-operative tests and an analysis of the removed tissue will follow in the coming days. The pope is expected to stay in hospital for about a week, and the Vatican has said an update on his night will be issued on Wednesday.
Leo, 71, plays tennis and swims regularly, and has no known history of smoking.
Schedule in doubt
The Vatican has cancelled all the pope’s audiences until 20 October. His planned visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, from 6 to 17 November, is now in question.
The trip, the longest of his papacy, involves about 31,000km of travel and around a dozen flights. The Vatican has not confirmed whether the trip will go ahead.
Photo credit: Fabrizio Maffei / Shutterstock.com
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Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing surgery at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, the Vatican announced on Tuesday night.
A medical bulletin said that surgeons had removed the lower lobe of the pope's right lung during the 90-minute operation. The bulletin described the procedure as “radical”, which the Vatican press office explained means that all suspect tissue was removed.
An examination during the operation confirmed lung adenocarcinoma, as had been suspected from pre-operative tests. The bulletin was signed by Dr Luigi Carbone, head of the Vatican’s health service, and Professor Stefano Margaritora, who led the surgical team.
The Vatican said there were no complications. Leo woke normally and, after a short period of observation, returned to his room on the 10th floor. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said he asked for dinner when he came round.
The pope had arrived at the hospital at lunchtime, greeting well-wishers who had gathered outside. He announced on Sunday, after the Angelus, that he would have a lung nodule removed. The Vatican said it was found during routine checks.
The bulletin did not mention further treatment. The Vatican said doctors are not currently speaking of chemotherapy or other therapies, pending the results of other tests.
Post-operative tests and an analysis of the removed tissue will follow in the coming days. The pope is expected to stay in hospital for about a week, and the Vatican has said an update on his night will be issued on Wednesday.
Leo, 71, plays tennis and swims regularly, and has no known history of smoking.
The Vatican has cancelled all the pope’s audiences until 20 October. His planned visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, from 6 to 17 November, is now in question.
The trip, the longest of his papacy, involves about 31,000km of travel and around a dozen flights. The Vatican has not confirmed whether the trip will go ahead.
Photo credit: Fabrizio Maffei / Shutterstock.com
