ROME, Italy – Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma after undergoing surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, according to a medical bulletin issued by the Vatican.
The 71-year-old pontiff underwent a 90-minute operation at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday. The Vatican said the procedure was successful and that no complications were reported.
“The operation was successful and there were no complications,” the Vatican said, adding that the Pope awoke normally after surgery and returned to his room following a brief period of observation.
The growth was first detected during what the Vatican described as routine medical checks. The Pope is expected to remain in hospital for about a week as he recovers.
Vatican Says Cancer Was Detected Early
The Vatican said doctors removed the entire lower lobe of the Pope’s right lung to ensure the procedure was radical.
Pope Leo had announced on Sunday that doctors had found a nodule on his lung. He described the growth as contained and said it had been detected at a very early stage.
Although lung nodules are not always cancerous, further examination confirmed pulmonary adenocarcinoma, as doctors had suspected before the operation.
A Vatican source told Agence France-Presse that additional tests were being conducted to determine whether the cancer had spread.
The Vatican has said the pontiff had not shown symptoms of infection or illness before the diagnosis.
Pope’s Schedule Cleared For Recovery
The Pope’s public schedule has been cleared until October 20 to allow him time to recover from the operation.
Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi of Tokyo said he had met the pontiff on Monday and that the Pope had told him he felt physically well.
Kikuchi said the Pope had opted to undergo surgery as soon as possible because he was scheduled to travel to Latin America in early November.
The planned trip is particularly significant because it includes Peru, where Leo spent many years as a missionary and later served as a bishop.
It remains unclear whether the operation and recovery period will affect the planned journey.
Vatican Officials Express Confidence In Recovery
The diagnosis has unsettled Catholics around the world, despite assurances from the Vatican about the successful operation and the early detection of the growth.
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin told journalists on Tuesday that the news had come as an unexpected shock.
“Am I worried? Yes, because I certainly wasn’t expecting anything like this,” Parolin said.
He described the announcement as a “bolt from the blue” but said cardinals had been struck by the Pope’s serenity and remained confident in his recovery.
Catholics Gather Outside Gemelli Hospital
Several Catholics gathered outside Gemelli Hospital following the pontiff’s admission, waiting to catch a glimpse of him and offer their support.
The hospital has treated several popes and is known for its large statue of Pope John Paul II.
Witnesses said crowds cheered and offered well wishes as Leo arrived in his car, with the pontiff smiling and waving through the lowered rear window.
Hospital staff welcomed him at the entrance, where one person expressed sympathy. The Pope responded with a smile and a shrug before another assured him that staff were there to support him.
Some Catholics said the diagnosis had come as a surprise because they had viewed Leo as a relatively young and healthy pontiff when he was elected.
Others said they were drawing comfort from his calm demeanour and would continue to pray for his recovery.
The Vatican has not yet provided a definitive timeline for the Pope’s return to public duties beyond clearing his schedule through October 20.
