VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with pulmonary adenocarcinoma, a form of lung cancer, following surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.
The 71-year-old pontiff underwent the procedure on Tuesday, October 13, with doctors reporting that the operation was successful and that no complications occurred.
A medical bulletin issued by the Vatican said an examination of tissue collected during surgery confirmed the diagnosis, which had been suspected during preoperative tests.
The affected portion of the lung was removed using a video-assisted surgical technique intended to achieve complete removal of the tumour.
The diagnosis follows the pope’s disclosure on Sunday that doctors had discovered a small, localised nodule during a recent medical examination. He said the abnormality had been detected at an early stage and that doctors had recommended its removal.
The Vatican subsequently cancelled his public audiences and engagements through October 20 to allow him time to recover. He is expected to remain in hospital for approximately a week.
Further tests are expected to establish the stage of the cancer and determine whether it has spread beyond the affected area. The Vatican has not announced whether the pope will require additional treatment, including chemotherapy.
Pulmonary adenocarcinoma is a common form of non-small cell lung cancer. Treatment and prognosis depend on factors including the stage of the disease, whether it has spread, and the patient’s overall health.
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, became the first American to lead the Catholic Church following his election in May 2025. He is a member of the Augustinian order and holds American and Peruvian citizenship, having spent many years undertaking missionary and pastoral work in Peru.
The health development comes as the pontiff continues his second year as leader of the world’s Catholic population.
The Vatican is expected to provide further updates on his recovery and the results of additional medical assessments in the coming days.
