Pope Leo Diagnosed With Lung Adenocarcinoma Following Surgery at Gemelli Hospital
Doctors found a small lump in the lung,
Pope Leo said after an Angelus address at St. Peter’s Square, adding that it was identified at a very early stage and well situated.
Following that diagnosis, surgeons at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital removed the lower lobe of the pontiff’s right lung on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, confirming he has a common form of lung cancer known as pulmonary adenocarcinoma, Reuters reported.
The 71-year-old pontiff spent approximately three hours in the operating room, with the surgical procedure lasting about 90 minutes, according to a statement released by the Holy See Press Office reported by Fox News. Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora stated that the operation was successful with no complications. Doctors utilized a video-assisted technique to remove the lower lobe in order to ensure a radical resection and eliminate all cancerous tissue, CBS News reported.
Hospital Recovery and Cancelled Public Audiences Through October 20
Pope Leo regained consciousness normally after the procedure and returned to his room on the hospital’s 10th floor, according to the Vatican’s medical bulletin. The Vatican announced that the pope is expected to remain hospitalized for about a week, and all public audiences have been cancelled through Oct. 20. Before entering the hospital, the Chicago-born pontiff left the Vatican in a black SUV, arriving at Gemelli Hospital where he walked through the main entrance and greeted crowds of well-wishers.
Because the traditional papal apartment on the 10th floor is currently undergoing renovations, Pope Leo is staying in a nearby room within the hospital, CBS News noted. The pontiff is not known to be a smoker and has maintained an active lifestyle that includes swimming and playing tennis.
Medical Experts Assess Staging Uncertainties and Prognosis
While the surgery successfully removed the tumor identified during routine health checks, medical specialists emphasize that the ultimate prognosis depends heavily on pathological analysis. Dr. Stephen Liu, a lung cancer expert at Georgetown University and division chief of hematology-oncology at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, told Reuters that additional data is necessary. While we have the diagnosis, we do not yet have the stage,
Dr. Liu said. This is critical to prognosis and treatment. If this is a small lung cancer with no lymph nodes involved, surgery itself is likely to be curative. But if final analysis reveals a greater extent of cancer involvement, this indicates a poorer prognosis.
The Vatican’s post-operative bulletins did not immediately disclose the size of the tumor or whether the cancer had spread to nearby lymph nodes. Candida Moss, a theology professor at the University of Birmingham in England, told CBS News that the Vatican historically manages health disclosures carefully, noting that aides and cardinals will step in to handle administrative duties as needed while the pope recuperates.
Status of the Scheduled November South American Tour
Pope Leo currently maintains a busy schedule as the leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, though his upcoming travel plans remain uncertain. The pontiff is scheduled to embark on an 11-day international tour to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from Nov. 6 to Nov. 17. CBS News reported that typical medical recommendations advise avoiding air travel for approximately three weeks following a pulmonary lobectomy, which places the recovery timeline directly against the planned departure date. The Vatican has not yet confirmed whether the trip will proceed as scheduled.
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