The Vatican announced on Tuesday that Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer following a surgical procedure to remove a lung nodule.
In a statement released by the Holy See Press Office, Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora from Agostino Gemelli University Hospital in Rome provided an update on the pope’s health.
“As he is admitted to the hospital, we accompany him with our prayers. We are also deeply grateful for his teaching, which urges us to place the dignity of every person at the center,” they expressed.
The doctors explained that the Holy Father underwent thoracic surgery as planned, during which the lower lobe of his right lung was removed using a video-assisted method to ensure complete resection.
“An intraoperative histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, as suspected from the preoperative evaluations. The operation was successful and there were no complications,” they added.
The surgery lasted around 90 minutes, and the 71-year-old pope regained consciousness in the recovery room. He has since been relocated to his hospital room on the 10th floor.
Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office, indicated on Monday that the pope is expected to remain hospitalized for about a week.
Elena Beccalli, the Rector of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, emphasized the bond between their university and the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital Foundation, stating, “We are also deeply grateful for his teaching, which encourages us to prioritize the dignity of every individual and to foster dialogue and peace.”
The removed tissue is slated for further examination in the days following the operation, according to Vatican News.
Bishop John Dolan from the Diocese of Phoenix, Arizona, shared a video asking for prayers for the pope. He urged, “We ask that you pray for him, entrusting him to our blessed mother and to Jesus, her son. We also ask that St. Joseph, the patron saint of the church, bless our holy father so he can continue serving the church worldwide.”
“He has been a true blessing, and we hope the Lord will look after him during this journey,” Dolan further remarked.
Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope in the Catholic Church’s history, was elected by the conclave of cardinals in March 2025. Although he hails from Chicago, Illinois, much of his life has been spent in Peru.
While the pope was scheduled to visit Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru in November, it remains uncertain whether these plans will change due to his recent diagnosis.
