Pope Leo XIV Diagnosed with Lung Cancer After Successful Surgery
The Vatican announced that Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma following successful surgery to remove a lobe of his right lung. The procedure, performed at Rome's Gemelli hospital using video-assisted techniques, lasted about 90 minutes and was complication-free. Tissue tests confirmed the cancer diagnosis during the operation, which had initially raised suspicion from pre-operative exams. The pope is expected to remain in the hospital for approximately one week before resuming public duties on October 20. All of his scheduled events have been canceled until then. The pontiff's health has generally remained strong since he assumed leadership in May 2025, and there are no indications that smoking or other risk factors contributed to this condition. Pope Leo is set to embark on an 11-day tour across South America starting November 6. As the head of the Catholic Church for over a billion followers, his absence from public life temporarily halts major decisions requiring papal approval.
Topics: lung cancer diagnosis Pope Leo XIV surgery