Vatican Confirms Early Cancer As Pope Leo XIV Undergoes Lung Surgery At 71

Pope Leo XIV has had part of his lung removed after doctors found early-stage cancer, in his first hospitalisation since becoming pontiff in May 2025.

The 71-year-old pontiff was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, the Vatican confirmed, after surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung during a planned procedure at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on October 13.

The operation lasted about 90 minutes, with Leo spending roughly three hours in total in the operating theatre. Doctors reported no complications, saying the pope woke normally before being returned to his room on the hospital’s 10th floor.

Two days earlier, the pontiff had hinted at the health scare during his weekly blessing at St. Peter’s Square, disclosing a “very early-stage and well-localised” nodule found during routine tests.

Oncologists had said before surgery that even if cancerous, the prognosis would be “excellent” given how early it was detected. The diagnosis was confirmed through tissue examination during the operation.

The Vatican said all audiences have been cancelled through October 20, with the pope expected to spend about a week recovering in hospital. His treatment plan has not yet been announced.

While the cause of the nodule remains unclear, doctors are cautiously optimistic following the early detection and removal.