Pope Leo has been diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing an operation to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, Reuters has reported.
The 71-year-old pontiff was admitted to Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Tuesday after doctors discovered a growth in his lung during a recent medical examination. Tests carried out on tissue removed during the procedure confirmed that he had lung adenocarcinoma, a type of lung cancer.
According to a medical bulletin released by the Vatican, the operation was performed using a video-assisted technique under the supervision of Stefano Margaritora, the pope’s lead surgeon and head of thoracic surgery at the hospital.
“In order to make the procedure curative, the lower lobe of the right lung was removed using a video-assisted technique,” the bulletin said, quoting Margaritora.
The statement added that a rapid examination of tissue samples during the operation confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, which doctors had suspected based on tests conducted before the surgery.
The Vatican had initially announced that the procedure was successful before releasing further information about the pontiff’s diagnosis and recovery.
The operation reportedly lasted about 90 minutes and was completed without complications. Leo regained consciousness normally and was resting in his hospital room after the procedure.
The Vatican said the pope was expected to spend approximately one week in hospital. His public engagements have also been cancelled until October 20 to allow him to recover.
The diagnosis comes two days after Leo disclosed that doctors had identified a lung nodule during recent medical examinations and recommended that it be removed.
Speaking during his weekly Angelus address on Sunday to worshippers gathered in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican, the pontiff said the growth had been detected at an early stage and was well localised.
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Leo said he had chosen to follow the advice of his medical team and proceed with the operation.
“The doctors believe that it is best to intervene, so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to remove it. The operation is already scheduled to take place in the coming days,” the pope said in a statement published on the Vatican News website.
Leo was elected pope in May 2025 following the death of Pope Francis, becoming the first American to lead the Catholic Church.