Pope Leo XIV underwent a successful surgery Tuesday to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. A tissue examination also confirmed a lung adenocarcinoma diagnosis, the Vatican reported.
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Doctors had suspected lung cancer prior to the operation, according to Vatican News. Pope Leo announced the scheduled surgery during his Sunday noon prayer, saying doctors had found a small nodule in his lung. He reported that the nodule was localized — meaning it hadn’t spread — and was detected early.
Dear friends, during some recent medical examinations, the doctors found a small, localized nodule in my lung. It was detected at a very early stage and is well-localized. The doctors believe that it is best to intervene, so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo…
— Pope Leo XIV (@Pontifex) October 11, 2026
The pope held all scheduled audiences on Monday morning before he was admitted to the hospital.
The surgery had no complications and lasted around three hours, per the Vatican. Pope Leo “awoke normally after surgery” and plans to remain in the hospital for approximately one week.
Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer, according to the Lung Cancer Foundation of America. It tends to grow and spread slowly and can be treated with surgery in early stages, although more advanced adenocarcinomas may require chemotherapy or radiation.
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Lymph nodes are routinely removed and tested during surgeries to remove cancer, but the Vatican did not address those tests or future treatment.
The Holy See Press Office is expected to provide updates on the Pope’s condition and exam results in the coming days.
When announcing the surgery, Pope Leo thanked followers for their “spiritual closeness” and prayers. He shared an additional message about prayer on social media Monday.
“Prayer becomes effective when it reaches out to others,” he wrote. “The charity born of the Holy Spirit is God’s love poured into our hearts: a love that takes shape in a commitment to life and service. This love must become the goal, the way, and the meaning of our lives.”
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