Pope Leo XIV has undergone surgery to remove part of his right lung after doctors diagnosed him with lung cancer.
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The Vatican announced the diagnosis in a medical bulletin, revealing that the pontiff has lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer.
According to the bulletin, tissue tests conducted during the operation confirmed suspicions raised during earlier examinations.
Doctors discovered the condition during a routine health check before admitting the pope to Rome's Gemelli Hospital for surgery.
Pope Leo Undergoes Surgery Following Lung Cancer Diagnosis
Following the procedure, lead surgeon Dr. Stefano Margaritora and the pope's personal physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, released a joint statement.
The doctors said the operation lasted approximately 90 minutes and proceeded successfully without complications.
"In order to make ?the procedure curative, the lower lobe of the right lung was removed using a video-assisted technique," the statement read.
The medical team explained that the procedure aimed to remove all cancerous tissue.
The pope regained consciousness following surgery and subsequently returned to his hospital room to rest.
An earlier announcement indicated that he would remain hospitalized for approximately one week, while organizers cancelled his public engagements through October 20.
Lung Cancer Expert Discusses Pope's Prognosis
Dr. Stephen Liu, a lung cancer specialist at Georgetown University and division chief of hematology-oncology at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, discussed the diagnosis with Reuters.
"While we have the diagnosis, we do not yet have the stage. This is critical to prognosis and treatment," Liu told the outlet.
"If this is a small lung cancer with no lymph nodes involved, surgery itself is likely to be curative. But if final analysis reveals a greater extent of cancer involvement, this indicates a poorer prognosis."
Leo, who became pope in May 2025, has no known history of smoking and has reportedly experienced no significant recent health problems.
He departed the Vatican shortly before 1 p.m. on Tuesday, traveling approximately nine kilometers to Gemelli Hospital for the operation.
The pontiff also has an 11-day visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru scheduled for November 6 through 17.
It remains unclear whether the trip will proceed as planned following his reported diagnosis and surgery.
