Pope Leo XIV undergoes surgery to remove part of his lung after cancer diagnosis, Vatican says

Pope Leo XIV is recovering at a hospital in Rome after undergoing what the Vatican described as a successful operation to remove part of his right lung following the discovery of a cancerous tumor.

The Vatican announced Tuesday night that the surgery had concluded as planned and that the pontiff had returned to his hospital room. Doctors Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora said the pope underwent thoracic surgery, during which surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung using video-assisted surgery.

An examination of the removed tissue revealed signs of pulmonary adenocarcinoma, a common type of lung cancer, according to the medical team. The procedure took place Tuesday afternoon at Agostino Gemelli University Hospital in northwestern Rome, a medical center with longstanding ties to the Vatican.

The 71-year-old pontiff had told crowds in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday that doctors had detected a lung nodule and recommended its removal. He said the tumor had been discovered at a very early stage and was well localized. The hospitalization is the first since the beginning of his papacy.

Pope cancels public appearances through October 20

Leo XIV has canceled all public engagements through October 20 while he recovers. A Vatican spokesperson said Sunday that he would need approximately one week to recover from the operation.

Dr. Matthew Triplette, a pulmonary and critical care specialist and medical director of a lung cancer screening program, said surgeries to remove lung nodules are often minimally invasive and have a low complication rate. Patients typically remain in the hospital for several days before continuing their recovery at home.

The Vatican will continue operating during the pope’s hospitalization, although matters requiring his signature will have to wait. The Catholic Church has no specific rules governing the transfer of papal leadership if a pope becomes incapacitated. Even if unconscious or undergoing surgery, the pontiff retains full papal authority.

Vatican officials ask for prayers

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, said Tuesday that Catholic clergy were praying for the pope’s recovery. He said he had spoken with Leo the previous evening and had been surprised by the need for surgery.

Parolin praised the pope’s calmness when announcing the procedure and expressed hope that the condition could be resolved quickly. He also noted that the tumor had been detected promptly, adding that early detection can improve the prospects for treatment.

The pope maintained his usual busy schedule on Monday, holding a series of morning meetings before attending a gathering of bishops and Church leaders at the Vatican.