Catholic Church: Pope Leo XIV suffers from lung cancer

The pontiff only made public a lump in his lung on Sunday, and two days later he was operated on. According to the Vatican, it is cancer.

Pope Leo XIV: He has lung cancer. Photo: Alessandra Tarantino/AP/dpa

Rome. Pope Leo XIV underwent lung surgery for cancer. The 71-year-old had the lower lobe of his right lung removed on Tuesday, the Vatican announced late in the evening. Adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer, was diagnosed.

The medical team at the Gemelli Clinic in Rome also announced that the subsequent examination confirmed that the lump was a so-called lung adenocarcinoma.

The suspicion of this had already arisen during the examinations before the procedure, it was said. This has now been confirmed. According to the doctors, the operation was “successful and without complications”. The Pope then woke up as planned and is now in his room.

Leo self-reported lumps on his lungs

Leo surprisingly announced on Sunday that a lump had been discovered in his lung during a check-up, which was still in a “very early stage”. On the advice of the doctors, he decided to have an operation. The procedure took place just two days later.

Until then, no health problems were known about the first American to head the Catholic Church. 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.

Probably in the hospital for a week

Leo is in the Gemelli Hospital, where several of his predecessors have already been treated. The popes have their own wing there where they are looked after around the clock. A first official statement said: “The procedure was successful, carried out on time and as planned.” The Pope should now have about a week to recover.

Before the operation, there was talk that Leo would likely have to recover in the hospital for about a week. In the Gemelli Clinic – officially: Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli – on the outskirts of the Italian capital, there is a wing for popes on the tenth floor. Leo's predecessor, Pope Francis, was also treated there until shortly before his death at the age of 88. The Argentine has been missing part of his lung since he was young.

More: Lumps in the lungs – Pope needs surgery

dpa, rtr Published according to the editorial standards of the Handelsblatt. You can find more information in our guidelines.