From Dexerto · Michael Gwilliam · · 40s
Pope Leo XIV diagnosed with lung cancer
Pope Leo XIV undergoes lung surgery after cancer diagnosis.
In brief
Pope Leo XIV undergoes lung surgery after cancer diagnosis. Pope Leo XIV had surgery to remove part of his right lung after being diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma. Originally reported by Dexerto.
Pope Leo XIV diagnosed with lung cancer
Pope Leo XIV was diagnosed with lung cancer after doctors removed part of his right lung during surgery at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.
Surgery details
The 71-year-old pontiff underwent surgery on October 13, 2026, lasting 90 minutes with no complications reported.
Recovery timeline
Pope Leo faces hospital recovery for about a week, with public engagements canceled until October 20, 2026.
The big picture
Pope Leo XIV had surgery to remove part of his right lung after being diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma.
