On Sunday, Pope Leo XIV disclosed that a nodule had been found in a very early stage. The announcement came just two days before the decision to move forward with surgery.
The Vatican confirmed that the surgery would take place on Tuesday to remove the affected tissue.
Vatican says Pope Leo XIV has lung cancer and that the lower lobe of his right lung was removed https://t.co/3GtAKZQSaK
On 2026-10-13, Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery at the Gemelli Clinic in Rome. The operation targeted the lower lobe of his right lung, the area where the nodule had been identified.
He is expected to remain in the Gemelli Hospital for about a week to recover.
The Gemelli Clinic confirmed the diagnosis as adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer.
Vatican says Pope Leo XIV has lung cancer and that the lower lobe of his right lung was removed #TheHill https://t.co/lF9njRqj1h
The Vatican reported that the procedure was successful and proceeded without complications. Pope Leo XIV awoke as planned and is now resting in his room.
After the surgery, Pope Leo XIV awoke as planned and is now resting in his room. He is expected to remain in the Gemelli Hospital for about a week to recover.
Pope diagnosed with lung cancer but had successful surgery, Vatican says https://t.co/Tn6FklPKBp
Pope Leo XIV is expected to remain in the Gemelli Hospital for about one week to recover.
The pope is being cared for in the dedicated papal ward located on the tenth floor of the Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli. This floor has housed previous pontiffs during medical stays, including Pope Francis.
The brief noted that Pope Francis had lost part of his lung earlier in life. The papal ward has previously cared for Pope Francis.
A Vatican spokesperson offered the following assessment of the surgery: "The procedure was successful, carried out on schedule and as planned."
Pope Leo XIV is 71 years old.
As of the latest update, Pope Leo XIV rests in the Gemelli Hospital, recovering from the lung lobe removal. The hospital, located on the tenth floor of the Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli in Rome, houses a dedicated papal ward where previous popes, including Pope Francis, received care.