Pope Leo XIV is recovering after surgery confirmed that he has lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer, with the Vatican reporting that his postoperative recovery was progressing normally on Wednesday.
The 71-year-old pontiff underwent surgery at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday, October 13, during which surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung. The operation lasted approximately 90 minutes, and the Vatican said it was successful, with no complications. The pope woke normally after surgery and returned to his hospital room following a brief period of observation.
In its latest medical update on October 14, the Holy See Press Office said blood tests and a chest X-ray showed that his recovery was proceeding as expected. The pope has begun walking around his room, undergone respiratory physiotherapy and resumed his regular diet, eating breakfast and lunch.
“The results confirm that his postoperative recovery is progressing normally,” the medical team said, according to
The diagnosis was confirmed through an examination of tissue during the operation. Lung adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer, but doctors have not yet publicly established whether the disease has spread to the lymph nodes or what additional treatment, if any, may be required. Further assessment will help determine the stage of the cancer and whether therapies such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy are necessary, the Associated Press reported.
The pope had disclosed on Sunday that doctors found a small, localised nodule in his lung during recent medical examinations. He said it had been detected early and that he would follow medical advice to have it removed.
His public engagements have been cancelled through October 20 to allow time for recovery. He is expected to remain in hospital for about a week, although his condition and progress will determine the next steps.
The diagnosis has also raised questions about his planned visit to Latin America in November, including stops in Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. Whether the trip will proceed as scheduled remains uncertain.
Leo’s decision to speak publicly about his condition has provided an unusually direct account of a pope’s health. For now, the Vatican’s latest update offers reassuring signs of early recovery, while the extent of the cancer and any need for further treatment remain unresolved.
