Pope Leo XIV Undergoes Successful Lung Surgery

Pope Leo XIV has undergone successful surgery to remove part of his right lung at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, the Vatican has confirmed, in a major health development involving the leader of the Catholic Church. The 71-year-old pontiff underwent the procedure on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, to remove the lower lobe of his right lung after doctors identified a suspicious growth during medical examinations.

The Vatican initially announced that the operation had been completed successfully, within the expected timeframe and without complications. However, a subsequent medical update confirmed that tests had identified lung adenocarcinoma, a type of lung cancer.

According to the Holy See Press Office, Pope Leo returned to his hospital room following the procedure at Gemelli Hospital in Rome. The operation was led by Professor Stefano Margaritora, the hospital’s chief thoracic surgeon. The Vatican had previously said the pope would remain in hospital for approximately one week while recovering.

Although the surgery was reported to have gone as planned, doctors are awaiting further test results to establish the full extent of the disease and determine whether additional treatment will be necessary.

A medical bulletin released after the operation confirmed that the pope has lung adenocarcinoma, a form of cancer that develops in glandular cells in the lungs. Doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung in what the Vatican described as a radical procedure, meaning the aim was to remove all identifiable cancerous tissue.

However, the final outlook remains uncertain. Further examination of the lymph nodes and other clinical findings will help doctors determine whether the cancer has spread and whether additional treatment is required. The Vatican has not yet announced a treatment plan.

The pope’s public schedule has been suspended until October 20 as he recovers from the operation. His planned 11-day visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru in November may also be affected, although a final decision will depend on his recovery and medical advice. The development marks a significant health challenge during Pope Leo XIV’s papacy, which began in May 2025.

The immediate priority is the pope’s recovery and the completion of further medical assessments. The results will help determine the stage of the cancer and whether treatment beyond surgery is needed.

Lung adenocarcinoma can have different outcomes depending on factors such as the stage of the disease, whether lymph nodes are involved and the patient’s overall health. The diagnosis alone is not enough to establish an individual prognosis.