Pope Leo XIV diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma after surgeons remove lower lobe of right lung

Pope Leo XIV, 71, underwent surgery Tuesday afternoon at Rome's Gemelli Hospital to remove what had initially been described as a small, early-stage nodule on his lung. The 90-minute operation required the removal of the lower lobe of his right lung, and a post-surgical examination of the tissue confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, the Vatican disclosed in a medical bulletin shortly after the procedure concluded.

The Vatican said the surgery was completed successfully, on schedule and without complications, and the pope has returned to his hospital room to recover. A weeklong hospital stay is expected, during which major decisions requiring papal approval will be deferred while routine administrative work continues.

Leo had made the announcement of his planned surgery himself on Sunday, the first time a sitting pontiff has publicly disclosed a personal medical situation of this kind. It is the first significant health event of his 17-month tenure. The Vatican had canceled all papal audiences ahead of the procedure.