Pope Leo XIV underwent successful surgery Tuesday at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. While Tokyo Cardinal Kikuchi Tsutomu had described the procedure as non-urgent, medical tests confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma. The 71-year-old pontiff is expected to remain hospitalized for one week, with all public audiences canceled through October 20.
Updated October 20, 2026
Surgeons Remove Lung Tissue
Dr. Stefano Margaritora, Gemelli’s chief thoracic surgeon, led the 90-minute operation Tuesday afternoon to perform a radical resection
of the right lung’s lower lobe. The Pope remained in the operating room for about three hours as part of the procedure, according to the Holy See Press Office. His surgical team included Professor Elisa Meacci, Dr. Maria Teresa Congedo, and Dr. Leonardo Petracca Ciavarella, while the anesthesia team comprised Professor Massimo Antonelli, Dr. Giovanni Punzo, and Dr. Giuseppe Bello.
Jeanette and I are united in prayer for @PONTIFEX’s health following his recent diagnosis. May the Lord give him strength and the Holy Spirit guide the medical professionals taking care of the Holy Father. https://t.co/KPVoGrnKUW
— https://x.com/SecRubio/status/2110120837445722355
The Vatican reported the surgery concluded successfully, on schedule and as planned
with no complications.
The Pope returned to his room on the hospital’s 10th floor and requested dinner after regaining consciousness. Doctors removed and tested his lymph nodes to determine if the cancer had spread, though those results were not immediately available.
Diagnosis Following Routine Tests
Pope Leo first alerted the public to his condition during his Angelus prayer on Sunday, October 11, telling crowds in St. Peter’s Square that doctors had found a small nodule on his lung. The Vatican press office confirmed the growth was discovered during “routine tests.”
Pope Leo XIV announced this Sunday, October 11, that he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a localized nodule in his lung, and he asked for our prayers.As he prepares for surgery, we can support the Holy Father through prayer, small sacrifices, and acts of… pic.twitter.com/ehGVnMWLst
— https://x.com/Church_POP/status/2109289504259404121
According to the American Thoracic Society, a lung nodule typically measures less than half an inch in size; while the majority are not cancerous, they are investigated when they appear on CT scans. Tokyo Cardinal Kikuchi Tsutomu, who met with the Pope on Monday, stated that Leo chose to have the surgery immediately to avoid altering his travel schedule. There is no need to worry, as it is not an emergency,
Kikuchi wrote on the Tokyo archdiocese’s Facebook page. Dr. Barbara Moscatelli, a veteran Italian pulmonologist, noted that the thoracic surgery department at Gemelli is of an excellent standard
and the procedure is established for patients of the Pope’s age.
Global Leaders Offer Support
Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, the longtime secretary to St. John Paul II, remarked that the news had “shaken” him, while assuring the Pope of his prayers. Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago issued a statement asking the faithful to join him in praying for the Pope’s swift and complete recovery.
Pope Leo Faces Adenocarcinoma Lung Cancer Diagnosis
Adenocarcinoma is the most common form of lung cancer in the United States, representing approximately 40% of cases. Stephen Liu, a lung cancer expert at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, suggested that if the cancer is small and localized without lymph node involvement, the surgery could be curative.
The Vatican has cleared the Pope’s schedule through October 20. Pope Leo, who became the first U.S.-born leader of the Roman Catholic Church in May last year, is known for his physical activity, including regular tennis matches and horseback riding at the papal retreat in Castel Gandolfo. The Pope’s family history includes cancer; his mother, Mildred, died of the disease in 1990 at age 77, and the Vatican recently confirmed that his older brother, Louis, is currently hospitalized in Florida with a form of cancer.
“These surgeries to remove the nodule are usually minimally invasive,” Fred Hutch's Dr. Matty Triplette told @CNN. “The outcomes are quite good, with a 5-year disease free survival of (more than) 80% for the earliest stages of non-small cell lung cancer.” https://t.co/AWK4gea8Y8
— https://x.com/fredhutch/status/2110119429954564396
More on Pope Leo XIV
Dear friends, during some recent medical examinations, the doctors found a small, localized nodule in my lung. It was detected at a very early stage and is well-localized. The doctors believe that it is best to intervene, so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo…
— https://x.com/Pontifex/status/2109267778553221597
Cancer is a devastating disease that touches the lives of far too many people. I am keeping Pope Leo XIV in my thoughts and prayers following his lung cancer diagnosis. I wish him strength and comfort as he recovers from surgery and pray for his continued healing.…
— https://x.com/RepTimKennedy/status/2110110459164766638
Prayers for the Holy Father Pope Leo @Pontifex as he undergoes surgery for a lung nodule. Pray it is benign. https://t.co/9KBgIgVIeI
— https://x.com/RepGregMurphy/status/2109346881906389076
Update (October 16, 2026)
According to Fox News, Pope Leo XIV is up and moving independently after spending four days recovering at Gemelli Hospital following his surgery. On Friday, the Vatican released the first photos of the 71-year-old pontiff standing at an altar in green vestments, celebrating Mass in a makeshift hospital chapel for medical staff and Vatican gendarmes.
Doctors Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora reported that new blood tests and a chest X-ray confirmed a steady improvement in his overall condition, allowing him to carry out normal daily activities entirely independently. Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel noted the procedure involved a small incision with video-assisted thoracoscopy. The pope plans to make his first public appearance since the procedure during Sunday's noon Angelus, and his anticipated November trip to South America reportedly remains on schedule.
Update (October 17, 2026)
According to BBC, Pope Leo XIV called Russian President Vladimir Putin from hospital on Friday to urge a ceasefire in Oleshky, where food and water access is cut off. The Vatican stated the Kremlin "supported" efforts to ensure safety and supplies in the Ukrainian city. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights also called for action in Oleshky.
Pope Leo’s doctors reported "steady improvement" since surgery, with a chest X-ray showing "good recovery of the operated lung." The Vatican confirmed the entire lower lobe of his right lung was removed to ensure a radical procedure. The Pope spent a "peaceful night" at the hospital following the operation.
Update (October 17, 2026)
According to RTÉ, Pope Leo is expected to leave Gemelli Hospital this afternoon, just four days after his surgery, following blood tests and chest imaging that found him fit to return home. The Vatican released the first post-surgery images of the pontiff, showing him celebrating Mass and standing unaided. He is scheduled to lead weekly prayers with pilgrims in St. Peter's Square at noon local time on Sunday for his first public engagement since the procedure.
While Cardinal Pietro Parolin stated that the Pope may need to adjust the pace of his schedule moving forward based on his health, the Vatican indicated that work on his November 6-17 visit to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru is still moving forward, with a list of accredited journalists released.
Update (October 20, 2026)
According to Vatican News, Pope Leo XIV appointed 24 new members to the International Theological Commission and renewed the mandates of six others for its 2026-2031 term. The 30-member commission, up from 28 in the previous term, features increased representation from Asia, Africa, and South America, as well as a rise in female and lay members. Monsignor Piero Coda was confirmed for another five years as the commission's secretary general.