Surgery confirms Pope Leo has cancer in his right lung

Surgery confirmed cancer in right lung

Pope Leo XIV underwent a planned lobectomy at Rome's Agostino Gemelli University Hospital on 13 October 2026, with surgeons removing the lower lobe of his right lung using a video-assisted technique.^[1] An intraoperative histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma.^[1]

The Vatican said the operation lasted about 90 minutes, with the Pope in theatre for approximately three hours in total, and that no complications arose.^[1] The surgical team was led by Professor Stefano Margaritora and assisted by Professor Elisa Meacci, Dr Maria Teresa Congedo and Dr Leonardo Petracca Caravella, with anaesthesia provided by Professor Massimo Antonelli, Dr Giovanni Punzo and Dr Giuseppe Bello.^[1]

What adenocarcinoma and a lobectomy mean

Adenocarcinoma is a cancer that forms in glandular tissue lining internal organs that produce fluids or mucus, according to the US National Cancer Institute.^[2] It is the most common subtype of non-small cell lung cancer. A lobectomy removes an entire lobe of an organ such as a lung and is the standard surgical response when a tumour is localised to one lobe.^[3]

Gemelli's thoracic surgery unit, headed by Professor Margaritora, admitted Pope Leo XIV on 13 October as planned.^[4] The hospital has a long history of treating popes, with a secured suite on its tenth floor used for successive pontiffs' medical care.

How the Pope disclosed the diagnosis

Two days before the operation, at his Sunday noon prayer on 11 October, Leo XIV told the gathered faithful about the nodule in his own words. "During some recent medical examinations, the doctors found a small, localized nodule in my lung," he said. "It was detected at a very early stage and is well-localized. The doctors believe that it is best to intervene, so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to remove it."^[5]

Leo XIV, aged 71, became the first US-born leader of the Roman Catholic Church when elected in May 2025, and the operation is the first significant health event of his 17-month papacy.^[5]

Recovery and cancelled engagements

The Prefecture of the Papal Household announced on 12 October that all audiences would be cancelled until Tuesday 20 October 2026.^[6] The Vatican has not released a schedule of further treatment. Its post-surgical bulletin said the operation was successful with no complications, and the Pope is expected to spend about a week recovering in hospital, the ABC reported.^[7]