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Pope Leo has been diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing surgery to remove part of his right lung, the Vatican announced on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
The 71-year-old pontiff was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer, after tissue tests conducted during surgery confirmed doctors’ earlier suspicions.
According to the Vatican’s medical bulletin, surgeons removed the lower lobe of the pope’s right lung in a procedure intended to eliminate the cancerous tissue.
The operation lasted about 90 minutes and was completed successfully, with no complications reported. Pope Leo regained consciousness normally and returned to his hospital room to rest.
The diagnosis marks a significant health challenge for the leader of the world’s Catholic Church. However, the full extent of the cancer and the pope’s long-term outlook had not been disclosed in the report.
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What the Vatican Said About Pope Leo’s Surgery
Pope Leo was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday for surgery to remove a lung growth discovered during a recent routine health examination.
His lead surgeon, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, and personal physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, said the procedure was successful.
The medical team used a video-assisted surgical technique to remove the lower lobe of the right lung. The aim was to remove the cancerous tissue.
Human lungs have five lobes in total: three in the right lung and two in the left. The procedure removed one of the three lobes on the right side.
Key Details About the Operation
- Diagnosis: Lung adenocarcinoma.
- Procedure: Removal of the lower lobe of the right lung.
- Duration: Approximately 90 minutes.
- Reported outcome: The surgery was completed without complications.
- Recovery: Pope Leo regained consciousness normally and was resting in his hospital room.
Although the operation was reported as successful, further medical information is needed to understand the full extent of the disease and what treatment may be required.
What Is Lung Adenocarcinoma?
Lung adenocarcinoma is a type of lung cancer that begins in cells that produce substances such as mucus. It is one of the common forms of lung cancer.
The diagnosis alone does not show how advanced the cancer is or whether it has spread beyond the lung.
Doctors usually need information about the tumour’s size, its location and whether cancer cells have reached nearby lymph nodes or other parts of the body to determine the stage.
What Doctors Need to Know Next
Medical experts cited in the Reuters report said the cancer’s stage would be important in assessing Pope Leo’s prognosis.
Dr. Stephen Liu, a lung cancer specialist at Georgetown University and division chief of hematology-oncology at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, said the size of the tumour and whether lymph nodes were involved would be key details.
He explained that surgery may be curative when lung cancer is small and has not spread to the lymph nodes. If further analysis shows more extensive disease, the outlook may be less favourable.
At the time of the report, the Vatican had not provided the tumour’s size, whether lymph nodes were affected or the cancer’s confirmed stage.
It is therefore too early to draw conclusions about Pope Leo’s long-term recovery.
Pope Leo’s Hospital Stay and Cancelled Events
The Vatican said earlier in the week that Pope Leo was expected to remain in hospital for about one week.
All his public events were cancelled through October 20 as he recovered from surgery.
Before the operation, the pope left the Vatican shortly before 1 p.m. local time and travelled about nine kilometres to Gemelli Hospital in Rome.
He was seen waving from the back of a black SUV as his convoy made the journey.
Upon arriving at the hospital, he shook hands with officials and walked past a crowd of well-wishers. Some called out “Auguri,” an Italian expression meaning best wishes.
His calm public appearance came shortly before the surgery, but the subsequent cancer diagnosis brought new attention to his health.
Will Pope Leo’s International Trip Go Ahead?
Pope Leo had been scheduled to undertake an 11-day tour of Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17.
However, following his surgery and cancer diagnosis, it was unclear whether the trip would proceed as planned.
His recovery, any further treatment and medical advice are likely to be important factors in decisions about future public engagements.
For now, the immediate priority is his hospital recovery and the additional medical assessment needed to determine the next steps in his care.
Who Is Pope Leo?
Pope Leo, born Robert Prevost in Chicago in 1955, was elected pope by the world’s cardinals in May 2025.
Before becoming leader of the Catholic Church, he spent decades serving as a missionary and bishop in Peru.
At 71, he was considered relatively young for a pope. He enjoys sports, including tennis, and was not known to be a smoker or to have experienced recent health problems, according to the Reuters report.
His diagnosis has therefore raised concern among Catholics and others following developments at the Vatican.
Pope Leo’s Previous Health Experience
Pope Leo previously experienced a serious illness while serving as a young priest in Peru.
In 1985, he contracted typhoid fever in Chulucanas and was admitted to hospital.
That earlier experience forms part of his personal history, although it does not provide information about his current cancer prognosis.
What Happens When a Pope Is Unable to Work?
The pope holds the highest authority in the Catholic Church, which has around 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.
According to the Reuters report, the pope does not have a deputy who automatically takes over his role when he becomes ill.
When a pope is unable to carry out his duties, much of the Vatican’s administrative work continues. Decisions that require papal approval may have to wait until he can make them.
Pope Leo’s hospital stay therefore raises practical questions about his schedule and responsibilities, particularly if his recovery takes longer than expected.
However, the Vatican had not announced a broader change to church leadership in the report.
Pope Leo’s Health Compared With Pope Francis
Pope Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, experienced several hospital admissions as his health weakened in his later years. He died in April 2025 at the age of 88.
The two situations are different, and Pope Leo’s current diagnosis should not be treated as a prediction of a similar outcome.
The information available about Pope Leo confirms a lung cancer diagnosis and successful surgery without reported complications. It does not yet establish the stage of his cancer or his long-term prognosis.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Pope Leo’s Cancer Diagnosis
1. What type of cancer has Pope Leo been diagnosed with?
Pope Leo was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer, after tissue tests during surgery confirmed doctors’ earlier suspicions.
2. What surgery did Pope Leo undergo?
Surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung using a video-assisted technique. The operation lasted about 90 minutes, and the Vatican reported no complications.
3. Has Pope Leo’s cancer stage been confirmed?
The Reuters report stated that the Vatican had not disclosed the cancer’s stage, the tumour’s size or whether lymph nodes were involved. These details are important for assessing prognosis and treatment.
4. How long will Pope Leo remain in hospital?
The Vatican said before the operation that he was expected to remain at Gemelli Hospital in Rome for about one week. His recovery and any further medical decisions may affect his schedule.
5. Will Pope Leo continue his planned trip to South America?
At the time of the report, it was unclear whether his planned November 6–17 tour of Uruguay, Argentina and Peru would go ahead.
