Pope Leo has been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma after surgeons removed the lower part of his right lung during a 90-minute operation at Gemelli Hospital in Rome. The Vatican said the procedure was successful and ended without complications.
A medical bulletin confirmed the diagnosis after tissue samples examined during surgery matched concerns raised in pre-operative tests. Lung adenocarcinoma is described as a common form of lung cancer.
The 71-year-old pope regained consciousness after the operation and is resting in hospital. The Vatican has not provided further detailed information about his condition.
Hospitalisation and cancelled events
Pope Leo reached Gemelli Hospital at about afternoon 1:00 local time after travelling from the Vatican. The hospital is about 9 kilometres from the Vatican. Before entering, he was seen greeting people from a black SUV, while some people present wished him a speedy recovery.
The Vatican expects him to remain in hospital for about 1 week. It has also cancelled all his public engagements through 20 October because of his health condition.
The latest development puts attention on his upcoming schedule. Pope Leo is due to travel to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from 6 to 17 November for an 11-day visit. Further information about those plans will be important in light of his surgery and recovery.
Pope Leo's background
Pope Leo was elected head of the Catholic Church by cardinals from around the world in May 2025. Born Robert Prevost in Chicago in 1955, he spent several decades working as a missionary and bishop in Peru before becoming pope.
He is known to have an interest in sports, particularly tennis. The report also says he is not known to have smoked and that no major public health concern had emerged about him in recent days.
Pope Leo previously described a serious illness during his service as a young priest in Chulucanas, Peru, in 1985. He was hospitalised with typhoid fever and later recounted experiencing severe pain during the illness.
The report also noted that his predecessor, Pope Francis, faced repeated hospitalisations in the final years of his life and died in April 2025 at the age of 88.
Church responsibilities
The Catholic Church has about 1.4 billion followers worldwide. If a pope becomes ill, there is no deputy who automatically takes over his responsibilities, although the Vatican's administrative operations continue.
Pope Leo's current hospital stay, the cancellation of public engagements through 20 October and the status of his November journey are therefore the immediate developments surrounding his health.
Conclusion
The Vatican says Pope Leo's lung cancer was confirmed during a successful operation in Rome, after which he regained consciousness and began resting in hospital. His public events through 20 October have been cancelled, with further information about his recovery and travel schedule still important.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What cancer has Pope Leo been diagnosed with?
The Vatican confirmed that he has lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer.
Q. What surgery did Pope Leo undergo?
Surgeons removed the lower part of his right lung during a 90-minute operation.
Q. Where was the surgery performed?
The operation took place at Gemelli Hospital in Rome.
Q. Did the Vatican say the surgery was successful?
Yes. The Vatican said the procedure was successful and involved no complications.
Q. How long may Pope Leo remain in hospital?
The Vatican said he may stay in hospital for about 1 week.
Q. What public events have been cancelled?
All public engagements through 20 October have been cancelled because of his health condition.
Q. When is Pope Leo scheduled to travel to South America?
He is scheduled to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from 6 to 17 November.
Q. Does the Catholic Church have a deputy who automatically replaces an ill pope?
No. The report says no deputy automatically takes over a pope's responsibilities, although Vatican administrative work continues.
