Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer following surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, according to a medical bulletin released by the Vatican.
The 71-year-old pontiff underwent the operation at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital after doctors identified an abnormal growth in his lung. The diagnosis has raised questions about his recovery, possible further treatment, and whether he will be able to maintain his upcoming international travel schedule.
SURGERY CONFIRMS CANCER DIAGNOSIS
The Vatican confirmed that laboratory and medical examinations identified lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer. The condition had been suspected before surgery and was confirmed during the procedure.
According to the Vatican, the operation was successful and concluded without complications. The pope spent approximately three hours in the operating room, with the surgical procedure itself lasting around 90 minutes, before returning to his hospital room.
Doctors removed the lower lobe of the right lung in an effort to eliminate the affected tissue. However, the Vatican has not yet announced whether additional treatment will be necessary.
WHAT DOCTORS NEED TO DETERMINE
Medical specialists say the next important step is determining the stage of the cancer and whether it has spread beyond the affected area.
Further examination of the pope’s lymph nodes and other test results will help doctors establish the extent of the disease and decide whether additional treatment is required.
Possible treatments, depending on the findings, could include chemotherapy, immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy, or targeted medication.
Lung cancer specialist Dr. Stephen Liu of Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center emphasized that knowing the diagnosis alone is not enough to determine the prognosis. Doctors must also establish the size of the tumor, whether other areas are affected, and whether cancer cells have reached the lymph nodes.
The Vatican has not confirmed a treatment plan, and it would be premature to draw conclusions about the pope’s long-term outlook before those results become available.
THE POPE’S RECOVERY AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENTS
Pope Leo entered Gemelli Hospital through its main entrance earlier on Tuesday, greeting and waving to well-wishers gathered outside.
The Vatican has canceled his scheduled audiences through October 20 to allow time for his recovery.
Although the hospital has facilities previously used by popes, Leo is expected to recover in a nearby room because the dedicated papal apartment is undergoing renovations.
Doctors generally assess recovery after lung surgery on an individual basis. Removing one lobe can allow the remaining portions of the lung to compensate over time, although recovery depends on the patient’s overall health and the nature of the operation.
UNCERTAINTY OVER UPCOMING SOUTH AMERICA TRIP
The pope’s health could also affect his planned November visit to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, scheduled for November 6 through 17.
The proposed journey would be the longest international trip of his papacy so far, involving multiple flights, helicopter transfers, and travel to locations at different elevations.
Some medical specialists advise patients to avoid flying for a period after surgery, but the appropriate timeline depends on recovery and medical assessment. The Vatican has not confirmed whether the trip will proceed as planned.
Cardinal Kikuchi Tsutomu, who met with the pope on Monday, said Leo had chosen to undergo surgery promptly with the intention of preserving his future travel plans. Nevertheless, the final decision will depend on the pope’s condition and medical advice.
A PREVIOUS HEALTH CHALLENGE
This hospitalization is believed to be only the second for Leo, who has been described as physically active and has maintained interests in swimming and tennis.
In 1985, while serving as a young missionary priest in Peru, he was hospitalized with typhoid fever. In a later biographical interview, Leo described the illness as a defining experience that strengthened his commitment to serving communities in need.
That experience became an important chapter in his religious journey, years before he became pope.
For now, the Vatican says the surgery was successful, but important questions remain about the stage of Pope Leo XIV’s cancer, the need for further treatment, and the timetable for his return to public duties.
The coming medical assessments are expected to provide a clearer picture of his condition and recovery prospects.
SNEWS TV will continue following developments as further information becomes available.
Reporting by Sandra Lomami For SNEWS TV.
