Vatican says Pope Leo has been diagnosed with lung cancer

The tests confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma. It said the diagnosis had been suspected by preoperative tests but was confirmed during the procedure, which removed a nodule from his lung.

By Misty Severi

Published: October 13, 2026 4:35pm

The Vatican announced Tuesday afternoon that testing during Pope Leo XIV's surgery confirmed he has lung cancer.

The tests confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, according to a Vatican bulletin board. It said the diagnosis had been suspected by preoperative tests but was confirmed during the procedure, which removed a nodule from his lung.

"The surgery was successful, and there were no complications," the Vatican said in a statement. "Following the operation, the Pope woke up normally and, after a brief period of observation, returned to his room on the tenth floor."

The surgery was performed by a team at Rome’s Gemelli hospital and was led by the hospital's chief thoracic surgeon, Dr. Stefano Margaritora. The surgery itself lasted 90 minutes, but he was in the operating room for three hours.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.