Pope Leo XIV Has Lung Cancer: The Vatican Confirms Surgery Removed the Lower Lobe of His Right Lung, and the South America Trip Is Still On for Now
On October 13 the Vatican announced that the pope has been diagnosed with lung cancer; recovery after surgery at Gemelli hospital is “proceeding as expected,” and no treatment has been decided yet.
Pope Leo XIV, 71, told faithful in St. Peter’s Square on October 11 that a recent check-up had found a small, “localized nodule” on his lung and that he would undergo surgery. On the evening of October 13 the Vatican announced that it was lung cancer and that during the operation at Rome’s Gemelli hospital the lower lobe of his right lung was removed, using a video-assisted, less invasive technique.
According to the October 14 statement, signed by lead surgeon Prof. Stefano Margaritora and personal physician Dr. Luigi Carbone, blood tests and the chest X-ray are within the range expected after such surgery. The pope is doing respiratory therapy, has started walking around his room and is eating a regular diet, and Holy See Press Office director Matteo Bruni said he is “in good humor.” No treatment has been decided yet: doctors are waiting for the full histological report, which will take several more days.
All public events are cancelled through October 20. On the planned trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17, Bruni said it is “at the moment still on,” although, according to America Magazine, many Italian doctors advise against flying so soon after surgery. Leo XIV was elected in May 2025, and this is the first major health issue of his tenure. Leaders around the world sent messages wishing him a quick recovery, among them UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
MKNews Hub · Macedonia · October 15, 2026
