Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung at a hospital in Rome.
The 71-year-old pontiff was operated on Tuesday, 13 October, at Gemelli Hospital after doctors detected a small growth in his lung during routine medical checks. Tests carried out before and during the procedure confirmed that the growth was lung adenocarcinoma, a type of lung cancer.
The Vatican said the operation lasted about 90 minutes and was successful, with no complications reported. Pope Leo woke up normally after the procedure and was taken back to his hospital room following a short period of observation.
He is expected to remain at Gemelli Hospital for about a week as he recovers. His public engagements have been cancelled until 20 October.
Pope Leo XIV, whose birth name is Robert Francis Prevost, became the head of the Catholic Church on 8 May 2025 after being elected by the College of Cardinals to succeed Pope Francis, who died in April 2025. He became the first pope from the United States and chose the name Leo XIV.
The Vatican has not yet given details about whether the Pope will require further treatment for the cancer.
