It was only on Sunday that Leo XIV made public a lump in his lungs. He underwent surgery just two days later. The diagnosis confirms the fears: the 71-year-old had carcinoma.
From his car, Leo waved to those waiting. Photo: Andrew Medichini/AP/dpa
Rome. Pope Leo XIV is suffering from lung cancer. The medical team at the Gemelli Clinic in Rome announced this after an operation that lasted about an hour and a half in the evening. The 71-year-old head of the Catholic Church had the lower lobe of his right lung removed. The subsequent examination revealed that a previously discovered lump was a so-called lung adenocarcinoma.
Just on Sunday, the head of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide announced that such a nodule had been found in his lungs during a routine check. Just two days later, Leo had already undergone surgery - which already indicated that there was cause for concern. Now the suspicion has been confirmed, said the medical team around the two Italians Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora.
Three hours in the operating room
According to the doctors, the operation itself was “successful”. In total, the Pope was in the operating room for around three hours. After the operation, which also involved the use of small video cameras, he returned to his room. Leo should now recover there for about a week. It remains unclear what will happen next with his therapy. The Pope himself did not comment in the evening.
Leo had previously revealed that it was a “very early stage” lump. As a rule, the chances of recovery are then significantly better than if the disease is only discovered later. On the advice of the doctors, he decided to have the operation as soon as possible. Until then, no health problems were known about the first American to head the Catholic Church.
At 71, he is a relatively young pope
Leo keeps fit with tennis, swimming and regular exercises. At 71, he is still a relatively young pope. When he was elected last May, it was speculated that he would have a long pontificate ahead of him, possibly several decades.
Other popes have also been treated in the Gemelli Hospital, such as John Paul II from Poland or Leo's immediate predecessor Francis. The pontiffs have their own wing there where they are cared for around the clock. Francis lay there until shortly before his death at the age of 88 in April 2025. The Argentine had been missing part of his lung since a young age.
Praying for the Pope - like last year
Leo arrived for the procedure in a black car with a police escort. He was greeted in front of the hospital by a team of doctors and numerous onlookers. Many people also welcomed him inside. He waved and smiled confidently. Many also prayed for him - just as people there had prayed for Francis just last year.
Because of the hospital stay, all audiences until the middle of next week were canceled - including participation in the closing service of an international bishops' meeting on marriage and family this Wednesday in St. Peter's Square. It is uncertain what will happen in the next few weeks.
South America trip planned for November
In November the Pope actually has an almost two-week trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru on the agenda. The former global head of the Augustinian Order worked as a missionary and bishop in Peru for many years. He also has Peruvian citizenship. The trip includes a visit to the city of Cusco at an altitude of 3,400 meters. For some people, this altitude causes breathing problems and altitude sickness.
With the announcement in front of tens of thousands of believers on Sunday in St. Peter's Square, Leo showed an openness in dealing with health problems that is not a given for popes. The Vatican used to keep the health status of church leaders tightly under wraps until their ailments were obvious - and sometimes even then.
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