Pope Leo XIV Diagnosed with Lung Cancer Following Right Lung Surgery
Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma following successful surgery at Rome's Gemelli Hospital to remove the lower lobe of his right lung.
The Vatican announced on Tuesday that Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer following surgical intervention at Gemelli Hospital in Rome. The diagnosis followed an operation on October 13, 2026, in which surgeons removed the lower lobe of the 71-year-old pontiff’s right lung during a 90-minute procedure after identifying a nodular lesion.
Subsequent examination of the removed lung tissue confirmed the presence of lung adenocarcinoma. The finding identifies the specific form of malignancy within the lung tissue, detailing the pathology behind what had initially presented as a nodular growth requiring surgical excision.
Following the surgery, the medical team indicated that the operation was completed without complications and that the pontiff’s post-operative recovery was progressing as expected under routine monitoring. The pontiff has already begun respiratory physiotherapy at the hospital to assist his recuperation and support lung capacity in the wake of the lobectomy.
The initiation of respiratory physiotherapy is standard practice following pulmonary resection, designed to maintain airway clearance and prevent complications while remaining lung tissue adapts to the reduced volume. Given that the procedure involved the removal of an entire lobe, post-surgical rehabilitation forms a critical component of immediate clinical management.
With the surgical intervention concluded successfully and early recovery moving forward along normal clinical expectations, further medical evaluations will guide the next stages of care as the pontiff recuperates at Gemelli.