Doctors have confirmed Pope Leo has lung cancer during surgery in which they have removed the lower lobe of his right lung.
Preoperative tests had suggested a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma and the 90-minute surgery confirmed it, the Vatican said in a medical bulletin after the operation.
“The surgery was successful, and there were no complications,” the statement said.
The pope was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Tuesday, local time, for surgery to remove a growth on his lung that doctors found in a recent health check-up.
The Vatican said earlier on Tuesday evening that the surgery had been successful before providing a more detailed update from the pope’s lead surgeon, Stefano Margaritora, the chief of thoracic surgery at the Gemelli hospital.
“In order to make the procedure curative, the lower lobe of the right lung was removed using a video-assisted technique,” Professor Margaritora’s update said.
“A rapid intraoperative histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, as had been suspected from the preoperative tests,” it said.
The surgery lasted about 90 minutes and was successful with no complications, the Vatican said.
The pope regained consciousness normally after the operation and later returned to his hospital room, where he was resting.
Albanese says thoughts and prayers with Pope Leo after cancer diagnosis
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his thoughts and prayers were with him.
“Pope Leo XIV is a source of inspiration to Catholics right around the world and here in Australia.
“He is a voice for peace, humanity and reason in our modern world.
“My thoughts and prayers are with him as he recovers from his recent surgery.
“We hope and pray for a quick recovery.”
Expected to stay in hospital a week
Pope Leo had left the Vatican for the surgery shortly before 1pm and was seen waving from the back of a black SUV as his convoy drove about 9 kilometres north to the Gemelli.
Upon arriving, Pope Leo shook hands with several officials, walked in front of a waiting crowd of well-wishers, some of whom shouted “Auguri” (best wishes), and headed in via the main entrance.
The Vatican said earlier this week that the pope was expected to recover in hospital for about a week. All his public events have been cancelled until October 20.
Pope Leo, elected by the world’s cardinals in May 2025, is relatively young for a Church leader.
He enjoys sports, including tennis, and is not known to smoke or have had recent health issues.
The late Pope Francis, Leo’s predecessor, was hospitalised several times as he grew frail in his later years.
He died in April 2025 at age 88.
Pope Leo, who spoke in a firm, clear voice at his only public event on Monday, keeps a very busy schedule.
He is due to make an 11-day tour of Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17.
ABC/Reuters
