Pope Leo XIV's Lung Surgery: What We Know About the Disease That Led Doctors To Remove Part of His Lung

Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing surgery to remove an entire lobe of his right lung, the Vatican has confirmed, revealing a serious health challenge for the 71-year-old pontiff. The operation, performed at Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday, 13 October, lasted approximately 90 minutes and confirmed the presence of lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of cancer that can develop even in people who have never smoked.

Doctors successfully removed the affected lung tissue without complications, but questions remain about whether the cancer has spread and whether the Pope will require additional treatment.

What Is Lung Adenocarcinoma?

Lung adenocarcinoma is a type of non-small cell lung cancer that develops in glandular cells, which produce substances such as mucus. It commonly develops in the outer regions of the lungs and accounts for approximately 40% of lung cancer cases in the United States, according to the Lung Cancer Foundation of America.

Although smoking significantly increases the risk of lung cancer, adenocarcinoma can also affect non-smokers. Other recognised risk factors include exposure to second-hand smoke, radon and certain environmental pollutants.

Symptoms can include persistent coughing, chest pain, breathlessness and unexplained weight loss. However, early-stage lung cancer may produce few noticeable symptoms, making medical examinations important for detecting abnormalities.

The Vatican has not disclosed the stage of Pope Leo's cancer or identified its underlying cause.

Why Doctors Removed Part of Pope Leo's Right Lung

Surgeons performed a lobectomy, removing the lower lobe of the Pope's right lung using a video-assisted surgical technique.

The procedure is commonly used to treat certain localised lung cancers by removing affected tissue while preserving the remaining healthy lung.

According to the Vatican, the operation lasted approximately 90 minutes, although the Pope spent around three hours in the operating room.

'The surgery was successful, and there were no complications,' the Vatican said.

Leo regained consciousness normally and returned to his hospital room on the 10th floor following observation. However, doctors still need to establish whether cancer cells have spread to nearby lymph nodes, which could influence further treatment decisions.

Pope Leo's Family Cancer History and Active Lifestyle

The diagnosis comes amid further cancer-related concerns within the pontiff's family.

His older brother, Louis Prevost, is undergoing treatment for multiple myeloma, a cancer affecting plasma cells. Their mother, Mildred, died of cancer in 1990 at 77.

Despite his diagnosis, Pope Leo has maintained an active lifestyle, regularly playing tennis and enjoying horse riding at Castel Gandolfo. He is not known to smoke, although neither physical fitness nor avoiding tobacco completely eliminates lung cancer risk.

The family's medical history does not establish whether hereditary factors contributed to his diagnosis.

Pope Leo Health Update: Vatican Cancels Public Duties

The Vatican has cancelled the Pope Leo's public audiences through 20 October, with doctors expecting him to remain hospitalised for approximately one week. No chemotherapy, immunotherapy or other additional treatment has been announced.

His planned November visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru remains under consideration, with the Vatican awaiting further information about his recovery and cancer assessment.

The coming days will be important in determining the pontiff's recovery and whether further treatment is necessary. Any decisions about resuming public duties or travelling abroad are likely to depend on medical advice and the results of additional assessments.