Pope Leo XIV is recovering at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital after surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung and confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma. The pontiff has begun walking, eating, and concelebrating Mass, though Peruvian officials warn his recovery could delay his upcoming apostolic visit.
Pope Leo XIV Rests and Walks at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital Following Lung Cancer Surgery
Pope Leo XIV spent a quiet night resting at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital following an operation on October 13 to remove a lung nodule. The Vatican confirmed that the three-hour procedure successfully excised the lower lobe of the pontiff’s lung, with the actual surgery lasting about 90 minutes. Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office, reported that the pope enjoyed a good night in the hospital and was able to eat breakfast. By Wednesday afternoon, the Holy Father concelebrated Mass in a room on the 10th floor of the hospital, specifically prepared for the occasion.
Subsequent pathology tests on the resected tissue confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma. Medical teams noted that the 71-year-old pope has responded well to the operation. He has begun walking around his hospital room, undergoing respiratory physiotherapy, and eating normally after posting normal post-operative values on routine blood tests and chest X-rays. Doctors stated that his recovery is proceeding as expected and that his current values are within the range anticipated for this type of procedure.
The surgery was completed successfully, within the expected timeframe and as planned, and the Holy Father has returned to his room.
The Vatican
Vatican Officials Balance Optimism With Unresolved Travel Plans for South America
While doctors and Vatican officials have described the early recovery as normal and steady, questions remain regarding the pontiff’s travel schedule. The Vatican has canceled all of the pope’s public audiences and scheduled events through October 20. The pope’s upcoming apostolic journey to Peru, initially slated for November, faces uncertainty. Keiko Fujimori, who is not a government official, stated in a television interview that the pace of the pontiff’s recovery might determine whether the visit proceeds as planned. Fujimori added that millions in Peru are praying for his speedy recovery.
The Vatican has not yet specified whether the cancer has spread or if further treatment will be required beyond the initial surgery. Although the pope is currently recovering, the Holy See Press Office noted that the pontiff remains the head of the college of bishops and the Vicar of Christ, maintaining his full power and status as the 267th pope even while recovering under general anesthesia or during his hospital stay.
Global Reactions and Political Discourse
The diagnosis has triggered a wave of global well-wishes. In New York, Archbishop Ronald Hicks expressed gratitude that the surgery was successful and joined the faithful in praying for the Holy Father’s healing. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his wife, Jeanette, offered prayers for the pope’s health, asking that the Lord provide him with strength.
The situation also sparked political commentary from Donald Trump. Speaking at Bullhead International Airport in Arizona, Trump offered sympathy for the pope’s cancer diagnosis but shifted the conversation toward the pontiff’s brother, Louis Prevost. Trump described Prevost as a “fantastic guyand a strong supporter of the MAGA movement, noting that Prevost
loves the pope a lot.” Prevost, who is also battling blood cancer, had previously met Trump at the White House in May 2025. Reports indicate that Pope Leo and his brother have held differing political views, with the pope previously criticizing the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
Hometown Prayers and Medical Context
In Chicago, the pope’s hometown, students at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy organized prayers and created care packages. “We love you,” said student Parker Ashley. Another student, Catherine Esser, shared that her card included a message wishing the pope a quick recovery and a shout-out to the White Sox. Cardinal Blase Cupich, speaking from Rome, noted that the pope has long maintained a demanding schedule, often working vigorously despite the pressures of his office.
Medical experts note that the pope’s diagnosis highlights the reality of lung cancer in non-smokers. Dr. Hiren Mehta, an interventional pulmonologist, explained that the prognosis for non-small cell lung cancer depends heavily on the stage at which it is detected. According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year relative survival rate for such cancers is 67% if the disease has not spread outside the lung. While the pope’s parents both had histories of cancer—his mother, Mildred, died of the disease in 1990, and his father, Louis, died of colon cancer in 1997—doctors emphasize that early detection via surgery remains the most effective path to treatment for both smokers and non-smokers.
