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Pope Leo XIV Diagnosed With Lung Cancer After Lobectomy

Final pathology plus lymph‑node results will determine cancer stage, whether he needs more treatment, or if his November South America trip must be changed.

Pope Leo XIV waves from the window of the car as he leaves the Vatican before being admitted to Rome's Gemelli University Hospital for an operation to remove a lump from his lung, in the Vatican on October 13.
Pope Leo XIV leaves the Vatican on October 13, 2026, to be admitted to Rome's Gemelli University Hospital for an operation to remove a lump from his lung.
Pope Leo XIV arrives at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, where he's expected to be operated to remove a lung nodule. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
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Overview

  • Pope Leo XIV underwent a video‑assisted lower‑right lobectomy at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday, and surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung.
  • An intraoperative histology test during the operation confirmed lung adenocarcinoma, the Vatican said, and doctors described the surgery as successful with no complications.
  • Medical teams report the pope is recovering as expected with respiratory physiotherapy, walking in his room, a normal postop chest X‑ray and routine blood tests, and all audiences are canceled through Oct. 20.
  • Physicians are awaiting final pathology and lymph‑node results to establish the cancer’s stage and decide if additional treatments such as chemotherapy or targeted therapy are required.
  • The Vatican’s open disclosures mark the first major health problem of Leo’s papacy, and the outcome of the pending tests will shape his public duties and the feasibility of the Nov. 6–17 trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.