Pope Leo diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing surgery

Pope Leo XIV, 71, underwent a successful 90-minute thoracic surgery on Tuesday at Rome's Gemelli Hospital to remove a cancerous nodule from his right lung. The Vatican confirmed the diagnosis as lung adenocarcinoma after surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung using a video-assisted technique. The Pope, who was elected in 2025 as the first American pontiff, remains hospitalized in stable condition. His public schedule has been cleared through October 20, leaving uncertainty regarding a planned trip to South America in November.

Pope Leo XIV, 71, underwent a successful 90-minute thoracic surgery on Tuesday at Rome's Gemelli Hospital to remove a cancerous nodule from his right lung. The Vatican confirmed the diagnosis as lung adenocarcinoma after surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung using a video-assisted technique. The Pope, who was elected in 2025 as the first American pontiff, remains hospitalized in stable condition. His public schedule has been cleared through October 20, leaving uncertainty regarding a planned trip to South America in November.