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On October 13, 2026, Pope Leo XIV underwent successful surgery at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli University Hospital to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. The Vatican confirmed that intraoperative examination established a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer, which preoperative tests had already suggested.
The 71-year-old pontiff arrived at the hospital earlier that day, greeting well-wishers as he entered through the main entrance. A thoracic surgery team led by Professor Stefano Margaritora performed a video-assisted procedure lasting about 90 minutes (with the Pope in the operating room for roughly three hours). Doctors removed the lower lobe to achieve a radical resection. The operation proceeded without complications. The Pope awoke normally, was briefly observed, and returned to his room on the hospital’s 10th floor, where he later had dinner in the company of his secretaries and other Vatican staff.
This marks the first major publicly disclosed health issue of Pope Leo’s 17-month pontificate. On Sunday, October 11, during the Angelus, he himself told the faithful that a small, localized nodule had been found during a recent checkup. He described it as “well-contained” and detected “at a very early stage,” adding that doctors advised surgical removal and that he had decided to follow their recommendation. All papal audiences and public events have been canceled through October 20 to allow roughly a week of recovery.
Medical experts not involved in the case have noted that early detection and complete removal of such a lesion generally carry an excellent prognosis, particularly if lymph nodes prove negative (Stage I disease). The Vatican has indicated that further post-operative examination of the tissue will take place in the coming days, and updates on the Pope’s overnight condition and any additional results are expected.
The news has prompted an outpouring of prayers from Catholics worldwide, bishops, and public figures. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin described the announcement as unexpected—“like a bolt from the blue”—while praising the Pope’s serenity and expressing confidence in his recovery.
The episode also reflects a notable degree of transparency compared with some previous papal health matters. Pope Leo chose to share the initial finding directly with the public, and the Holy See has issued timely medical bulletins detailing both the successful outcome and the confirmed diagnosis.
As the Pope rests and recovers at Gemelli—the hospital long associated with papal care—attention turns to his continued healing and the results of further tests. Catholics and well-wishers continue to offer prayers for his full recovery.
References
- Vatican News. “Pope Leo XIV undergoes successful lung surgery.” October 13, 2026. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-10/pope-leo-surgery-gemelli-hospital-successful.html
- BBC News. “Pope diagnosed with lung cancer but had successful surgery, Vatican says.” October 13, 2026. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ck1wvd9dvv22o
- Reuters. “Pope Leo had lobe of lung removed as doctors found cancer, Vatican says.” October 13, 2026. https://www.reuters.com/world/pope-leo-had-lobe-lung-removed-doctors-found-cancer-vatican-says-2026-10-13/
- CNN. “The Pope had part of his lung removed as cancer was confirmed, Vatican says.” October 13, 2026. https://www.cnn.com/2026/10/13/europe/pope-hospital-lung-surgery-intl
- OSV News. “BREAKING: Pope Leo XIV’s doctors reveal lung cancer.” October 13, 2026. https://www.osvnews.com/pope-leo-xivs-lung-surgery-completed-successfully-vatican-says/
