Pope Leo XIV diagnosed with lung cancer after right lobe removal

Lung adenocarcinoma has been diagnosed in Pope Leo XIV, the Vatican confirmed on Tuesday. The 71-year-old pontiff underwent a surgical procedure at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital that resulted in the removal of the lower lobe of his right lung.

Surgical details and recovery status

A statement released by the Holy See Press Office, attributed to Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora, noted that the operation was successful with no complications reported. The diagnosis was verified through tissue examination during the intervention.

The medical team indicated that the Pope spent approximately three hours in the operating room, with the actual surgery lasting about 90 minutes. Following the procedure, Leo awoke normally and returned to his room on the hospital’s 10th floor after a brief observation period.

Previous announcements and timeline

This marks the first hospitalization for Leo since he became pontiff in May 2025. Prior to the surgery, the Holy See Press Office had announced a “successful” operation to remove a lung nodule.

On Sunday, Oct. 11, speaking at his weekly blessing in St. Peter’s Square, Leo revealed that doctors had advised surgical intervention. He described the detected nodule as “very early-stage and well-localized,” according to reports from The New York Times.

NBC News cited the pontiff as previously stating the nodule was found “at a very early stage.” The Vatican had earlier projected that the Holy See would spend about a week recovering in the hospital.

Medical context regarding lung nodules

The American Lung Association defines a lung nodule as a round area appearing on chest x-rays or CT scans that differs from normal lung tissue. Such nodules are found in up to half of adults undergoing these imaging tests.

While causes vary, fewer than 5% of these nodules result in a cancer diagnosis. Small nodules typically do not cause pain or breathing difficulties, per the organization's guidelines.