Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer, after undergoing surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, the Vatican has announced.

The 71-year-old pontiff underwent the approximately 90-minute operation at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday after doctors discovered a small, localised growth during a recent medical examination. The diagnosis was confirmed through tests conducted during the procedure.

According to the Vatican’s medical bulletin, the surgery was successful and was completed without complications. Pope Leo woke up normally and returned to his hospital room to begin his recovery.

Further Tests to Determine Next Steps

The Vatican has not yet announced a definitive treatment plan. Further medical assessments, including tests on lymph nodes, are expected to help doctors determine whether the cancer has spread and whether additional treatment will be necessary.

The diagnosis follows the pope’s public announcement on October 11 that doctors had discovered a lung nodule and recommended surgery to remove it. He said the growth had been detected at an early stage.

Public Engagements Suspended

Pope Leo is expected to remain in hospital for approximately one week, with his public audiences cancelled through October 20 as he recovers.

His diagnosis also raises questions about his planned November visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. The Vatican has not confirmed whether the trip will proceed as scheduled.

The development marks a significant health challenge for the pope, who was elected in May 2025 and leads the Roman Catholic Church, which has approximately 1.4 billion members worldwide.

As the pontiff recovers, attention will focus on further medical updates, the results of additional tests and any decisions concerning his future treatment and international engagements.

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