Pope Leo XIV undergoes successful surgery to Remove cancerous lung tumour

Pope Leo XIV, 71, has undergone surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his right lung, the Vatican has announced. The Pope was admitted to Gemelli Hospital in Rome, Italy, on Tuesday after medical examinations detected a tumour in his right lung. Further tests confirmed lung adenocarcinoma, a type of lung cancer. The 90-minute surgery involved the removal of the lower lobe of his right lung. The Vatican said the operation was successful and completed without complications. The Pope is recovering well and is expected to remain in hospital for a week. All his official engagements and public audiences scheduled until October 20 have been cancelled.
This is his first hospitalisation since becoming head of the Catholic Church in May 2025. During Sunday’s prayer at St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV had informed the faithful that doctors detected the tumour at an early stage and recommended surgery.