Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing surgery to remove a growth from his right lung, the Vatican confirmed Tuesday.
The 71-year-old pontiff underwent a procedure at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital to remove the lower lobe of his right lung after tests indicated the growth could be cancerous. An examination during surgery confirmed lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer.
The operation was successful, and the Vatican said there were no complications.
Professor Stefano Margaritora, the lead surgeon, said the lower lobe of the pope’s right lung was removed using a video-assisted technique intended to treat the cancer.
An examination of the tissue during the operation confirmed the diagnosis suspected during preoperative testing.
The pope spent approximately three hours in the operating room, with the surgery itself lasting about 90 minutes.
Leo had revealed the discovery of a small lung nodule during his Sunday noon prayer, announcing that doctors had recommended removing it. His decision to share the news publicly offered an unusually candid glimpse into the health of the leader of the Catholic Church.
A lung nodule is a small abnormal area in the lung that can be either benign or malignant. When doctors suspect cancer, removing the growth can help establish a definitive diagnosis and treat the disease.
The fact that the cancer was detected early has offered some reason for optimism. Before the operation, oncologists reportedly described the pope’s prognosis as excellent if the growth proved cancerous and could be removed while still localized.
However, further medical information will be needed to determine whether additional treatment is necessary.
The Vatican has canceled all of Leo’s public audiences through Oct. 20 to allow him to recover. He had been greeted by well-wishers when he arrived at the hospital and was reported to be awake and resting in his room following surgery.
## A previous health scare in Peru
The lung operation is believed to be only the second hospitalization of Leo’s life.
The pope, who is known for keeping active through swimming and weekly tennis games, previously suffered a serious bout of typhoid fever in 1985 while serving as a young missionary priest in Chulucanas, Peru.
According to Pope Leo XIV: The Biography, based on interviews conducted by Elise Ann Allen, the illness became a turning point in his life.
Leo recalled praying to God to let him die rather than continue enduring the fever’s severe pain.
“I was hooked up to an IV, and I said, ‘If this is your sense of humor, Lord, I think you could do a little better,’” he recounted.
He ultimately recovered, but the experience helped convince him to remain in Peru despite the hardships he faced there.
“Obviously, I survived; I recovered, but it turned out to be a very significant moment for me,” Leo said.
He described the experience as a moment when he recognized the needs of the local community and the importance of continuing his work there.
“I never looked back,” he said.
More than four decades later, Leo is facing another serious health challenge, this time as head of the Catholic Church.
His surgery was successful, and the early detection of the cancer has provided grounds for cautious optimism. For now, his immediate priority is recovery as doctors monitor his condition and determine whether further treatment will be needed.
