The Vatican has announced that Pope Leo XIV, 71, has been diagnosed with pulmonary adenocarcinoma after undergoing surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. The 90-minute operation was completed without complications, and the pontiff is recovering in hospital.
By Open Chronicle with agencies
VATICAN CITY, October 13, 2026 — Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer following surgery at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, according to a medical bulletin attributed to the Vatican.
The 71-year-old pontiff underwent an operation on Tuesday to remove the lower lobe of his right lung after doctors identified a suspicious growth during a recent medical examination.
According to the Vatican’s medical update, the procedure lasted approximately 90 minutes and was completed successfully, without complications.
The pope regained consciousness normally after surgery and is resting in his hospital room.
The diagnosis was identified as pulmonary adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer.
The announcement marks a significant development in the pontiff’s health following earlier information that he would undergo surgery to remove a pulmonary nodule.
Vatican Announces Cancer Diagnosis
The Vatican’s medical bulletin states that Pope Leo XIV underwent removal of the lower lobe of his right lung and was diagnosed with pulmonary adenocarcinoma.
The diagnosis provides new information about the nature of the lung abnormality that prompted the operation.
Adenocarcinoma is a type of non-small cell lung cancer that develops from glandular cells in lung tissue.
It is one of the most frequently diagnosed forms of lung cancer and can occur in people with or without a history of smoking.
The information supplied does not specify the stage of the disease, whether cancer cells were found beyond the affected area or whether additional treatment will be required.
Those details are important in determining the prognosis and the next steps in medical care.
For now, the reported medical update focuses on the successful completion of the operation and the pope’s immediate recovery.
Surgery Completed Without Complications
Pope Leo XIV was admitted to Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Tuesday for the planned operation.
Doctors performed a procedure to remove the lower lobe of the right lung, an intervention known as a lower lobectomy.
This type of surgery may be used to treat certain lung cancers when doctors determine that removing the affected lobe is medically appropriate.
According to the Vatican’s statement, the operation lasted approximately an hour and a half.
The medical team reported no complications during the procedure.
Following surgery, the pontiff awakened normally from anaesthesia and was transferred to his hospital room to rest.
The absence of reported surgical complications is encouraging for his immediate postoperative recovery, although it does not establish the longer-term outlook for the cancer.
What Is Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma?
Pulmonary adenocarcinoma is a form of non-small cell lung cancer.
It develops in cells associated with the production of mucus and other substances within the lungs.
The disease can vary considerably in its behaviour, depending on factors such as tumour size, location, genetic characteristics and whether it has spread.
Treatment may involve surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapies or immunotherapy, depending on the individual diagnosis.
In some cases, surgery can be the principal treatment when the disease is sufficiently localised.
However, the fact that Pope Leo XIV underwent a lobectomy does not, by itself, establish the cancer’s stage or whether further treatment will be necessary.
The Vatican has not provided those details in the supplied medical bulletin.
Any assessment of the pontiff’s longer-term prognosis would therefore be premature.
Pope Expected to Spend Approximately One Week in Hospital
Before the operation, the Vatican indicated that Pope Leo XIV was expected to remain in hospital for approximately one week.
That timetable was presented as an anticipated recovery period rather than a confirmed discharge date.
Recovery after a lobectomy generally requires careful monitoring of breathing, pain management, lung function and possible postoperative complications.
Doctors also assess how effectively the remaining lung tissue is functioning.
The duration of hospitalisation can vary according to the patient’s condition and progress.
For the pope, medical supervision will be especially important given his age and the responsibilities associated with his office.
The supplied information does not indicate whether the original recovery timetable has changed following confirmation of the cancer diagnosis.
Gemelli Hospital’s Role in Papal Healthcare
Rome’s Gemelli Hospital has a longstanding association with the medical care of Catholic pontiffs.
The hospital has treated previous popes and is equipped to provide specialised surgical and medical services.
Its role in papal healthcare has made it an important institution during periods when the health of the head of the Catholic Church has attracted international attention.
Pope Leo XIV’s hospitalisation is being closely followed because of both the medical significance of the diagnosis and his responsibilities as leader of the worldwide Catholic Church.
The Vatican has not announced changes to his longer-term schedule in the information provided.
Any decisions concerning public appearances, travel or official duties will depend on his recovery and medical advice.
A Significant Health Development for the Catholic Church
The confirmation of a cancer diagnosis represents an important moment for Pope Leo XIV and the Vatican.
The pope’s health has implications for his public ministry, diplomatic engagements and responsibilities within the Catholic Church.
However, a cancer diagnosis does not automatically mean that a pontiff is unable to continue performing his duties.
The immediate priority is recovery from surgery and further medical assessment.
The Vatican’s reported bulletin indicates that the operation was successful and that the pope is resting normally.
Further medical updates may clarify the cancer’s characteristics, the results of additional examinations and whether any further treatment is planned.
For now, the available information supports a cautiously positive assessment of the immediate surgical outcome, while leaving important questions about the longer-term medical outlook unanswered.
What Happens Next?
The next stage of Pope Leo XIV’s medical care will involve postoperative recovery and assessment of the cancer diagnosis.
Doctors may review detailed pathology findings and determine whether further investigations or treatment are necessary.
The information supplied does not establish whether additional treatment has already been recommended.
The Vatican is expected to remain the principal source of official information about the pontiff’s condition.
The immediate medical report indicates that the surgery was completed without complications, that the pope regained consciousness normally and that he is resting in hospital.
Those are the most important confirmed details within the supplied account.
The longer-term implications of the diagnosis will depend on medical findings that have not yet been disclosed.