Pope Leo diagnosed with cancer after surgery to remove part of lung

By Al Jazeera Staff and AP. Published On 13 Oct 202613 Oct 2026.

Key points

• The surgery comes ahead of an official Latin America tour scheduled for November 6-17, with stops planned throughout Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.
• In an official note published Tuesday, the Vatican stated the procedure lasted 90 minutes and that the surgery "was successful, and there were no complications".
• In an unusually transparent update on papal health, Leo first made public that doctors identified a small nodule during his Sunday noon prayer in St Peter's Square.
• Tests confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, the Vatican continued, noting the diagnosis had been suspected by preoperative tests.
• The Vatican remarked doctors are not at present discussing chemotherapy or other therapies pending the results of other tests.

Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with cancer after an operation to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, according to a medical bulletin published by the Vatican.

Tests confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, the Vatican continued, noting the diagnosis had been suspected by preoperative tests. It did not provide details on the recovery outlook or course of treatment.

For context, the 71-year-old has returned to his room at Rome's Gemelli hospital, where he is projected to recover for a week, with all his audiences through October 20 cancelled.

For context, the Vatican remarked doctors are not at present discussing chemotherapy or other therapies pending the results of other tests.

For context, the Holy See's press office observed the medical statement spoke of the "radical" removal of the lobe as an indication that doctors removed all suspect tissue in the hope of eliminating any lingering traces of the cancer.

Before the procedure, Leo waved to dozens of well-wishers gathered at the hospital's main entrance.

"The doctors believe it's best to take action, so, following their advice, I've decided to have surgery to remove it, " he remarked during remarks delivered in Italian.

In practice, the pope has no documented history of serious illness and is considered physically active, routinely swimming and playing tennis.

In practice, the surgery comes ahead of an official Latin America tour scheduled for November 6-17, with stops planned throughout Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.

It is unclear whether his recovery will affect the ambitious itinerary. It includes a dozen flights, two helicopter rides and significant altitude changes in Peru.

For context, the pope remarked to journalists on Sunday that he intends to produce the journey.

Taken together, the developments around pope Leo diagnosed with cancer after surgery to remove part of lung point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.