Pope Leo XIV Lung Surgery
What's Happened So Far
Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery on October 13 to remove a cancerous node from his right lung at Gemelli Hospital in Rome. The 71-year-old pontiff was discharged four days later on October 12, deemed well enough to return to the Vatican and resume his duties. He returned to public-facing responsibilities quickly, delivering his traditional Sunday Angelus prayer from the Vatican on October 19, just one day after his hospital discharge.
Post-operative testing has confirmed the cancer remained localized to the removed tissue, eliminating the need for further treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation. The Vatican announced this positive prognosis on October 22, nine days after the surgical procedure. The pontiff's rapid recovery and return to his regular schedule suggest no complications from the removal of the lower lobe of his right lung.
- Oct 22, 2026· 2 sources
Pope Leo needs no further cancer treatment after lung surgery, Vatican says
Pope Leo XIV will not require additional treatment for lung cancer after post-operative tests confirmed the disease remained localized, the Vatican announced Wednesday. The 71-year-old pontiff underwent removal of the lower lobe of his right lung on October 13.
- Oct 19, 2026· 6 sources
Pope Leo Delivers Sunday Prayer Days After Lung Cancer Surgery
Pope Leo XIV returned to public duties on Sunday, delivering his traditional Angelus prayer from the Vatican just one day after being discharged from the hospital following surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his right lung.
- Oct 12, 2026· 6 sources(article archived)
Pope Leo discharged from Rome hospital four days after lung cancer surgery
Pope Leo XIV was released from Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Saturday, four days after undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous node from his right lung. Doctors confirmed he is well enough to return to the Vatican and resume his duties.