Pope Leo XIV Diagnosed With Lung Cancer After Surgery

Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing surgery to remove a tumor from his right lung. The Vatican confirmed the diagnosis on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.

The 71-year-old pope underwent a successful operation at Gemelli Hospital in Rome. Surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung after tests identified a suspicious growth.

Doctors confirmed that the tumor was a type of cancer known as lung adenocarcinoma. The operation lasted about 90 minutes and ended without complications, according to the Vatican.

Pope Leo woke up normally after surgery and returned to his hospital room. He spent a calm first night recovering, the Vatican reported on Wednesday.

What Type of Lung Cancer Does Pope Leo Have?

Lung adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer. It can affect smokers and people who have never smoked.

Belgian doctor Christophe Dooms has discussed what people should know about lung cancer, a disease that can remain undetected for a long time because early symptoms are often absent or difficult to recognize.

According to medical experts, lung adenocarcinoma accounts for around 60% of lung cancer cases. Although smoking is a major risk factor, the disease can also develop in people who have never smoked.

Possible symptoms include a persistent cough, chest pain, shortness of breath and coughing up blood. However, some patients experience no clear symptoms during the early stages.

Early Detection Could Improve Pope Leo’s Outlook

The tumor was discovered during medical examinations before the operation. Doctors had suspected cancer before surgery, and an examination of the removed tissue confirmed the diagnosis.

Finding lung cancer early can improve a patient’s chances of successful treatment. Surgery may be enough when the tumor is localized and has not spread to nearby lymph nodes or other parts of the body.

However, doctors still need further test results to determine the exact stage of the pope’s cancer and whether additional treatment will be necessary.

Possible treatments include chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted medicines. These options depend on the tumor’s characteristics and whether any cancer cells remain.

The Vatican has not confirmed whether Pope Leo will need further treatment.

Why Lung Cancer Can Go Undetected?

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. One reason it can be difficult to detect is that early symptoms may be mild or resemble those of less serious illnesses.

A persistent cough, unexplained breathing problems or coughing up blood should not be ignored. These symptoms do not necessarily mean someone has cancer, but medical evaluation is important when they persist.

The disease can also affect people who do not smoke. Other risk factors include exposure to secondhand smoke, radon and asbestos.

Doctors emphasize that early diagnosis can make a significant difference in treatment options and outcomes.

Pope Leo’s Recovery and Upcoming Travel

Pope Leo is expected to remain in the hospital for about a week while he recovers from surgery. The Vatican has canceled his public appointments through October 20.

His planned trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17 could also be affected. Whether he will travel depends on his recovery and further medical assessments.

For now, doctors are waiting for additional test results before making decisions about any further treatment.

The Vatican has described the operation as successful, but the full picture of the pope’s condition will become clearer once the remaining medical results are available.