Pope Leo XIV has reportedly been diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, a type of lung cancer, following surgery to remove a nodule from his right lung at Gemelli Hospital in Rome.
The 71-year-old pope is not known to have smoked. The operation was carried out by Dr Stefano Margaritora, the hospital’s chief thoracic surgeon. Before the procedure, medical staff gathered in the hospital chapel to pray the rosary.
“Let us join together in prayer, asking the Lord to sustain our bishop, Pope Leo, and to comfort all those who are hospitalized here,” Cardinal Baldassare Reina, the vicar of Rome, said.
The Vatican described the operation as completed “successfully, on schedule and as planned,” adding that the pope had returned to his room.
Leo had earlier revealed that doctors discovered a small, localised lung nodule during routine checks and planned to remove it. He is expected to stay in hospital for at least a week, while his public engagements have been cancelled through October 20.
Some pilgrims were disappointed they could not see him, but many prayed for his recovery. Yolanda Avella, 57, who travelled from Tampa, Florida, said she was worried but hopeful. The Rev. Pius Mathew, who organised the visit, said the pope’s health came first.
Cardinal Kikuchi Tsutomu of Tokyo said Leo felt fine and opted for surgery early to avoid disrupting future engagements.
The pope is scheduled to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17. The trip would cover more than 19,000 miles.
He is staying in a regular hospital room because renovations are ongoing in the dedicated papal apartment.
In his 2025 biography, Leo also described a serious illness he suffered while serving in Peru as a turning point that influenced his decision to remain there and continue his work with the Augustinian order and the Church.
