Pope Leo XIV diagnosed with lung cancer after surgery in Rome

Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer after surgeons removed part of one of his lungs on Tuesday, the Vatican announced. The church said the operation was successful.

The procedure took place at Gemelli Hospital in Rome and removed the lower lobe of the pope's right lung, according to NPR reporting published by OPB. 6abc Action News also reported that the right lung was involved, while WKYT described the lobe removed as being from the left lung.

The Vatican said tests had pointed to lung adenocarcinoma beforehand, and examination of the removed tissue confirmed that diagnosis. According to OPB, the surgery lasted roughly 90 minutes, and the pope woke normally and returned to his room on the hospital's 10th floor after a short observation period. 6abc reported that the Vatican statement said there were no complications.

The Vatican has not announced any further treatment. 6abc reported that doctors were not discussing chemotherapy or other therapies while awaiting additional test results. Hawaii News Now reported that the pope is expected to remain in the hospital for about a week, and OPB said his public schedule has been largely cleared until at least Oct. 20.

Dr. Patrick Ross, chief of thoracic surgery at Main Line Health, told 6abc that adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer and that early detection is linked to the best outcomes. He said the pope's prognosis will depend on the final pathologic stage once the lung tissue and lymph nodes are evaluated. Oncologists cited by Hawaii News Now described the outlook as excellent because the cancer was found early.

Leo, 71, became the first American pope in May 2025. OPB reported that he is physically active, playing tennis and riding horses, and is not known to smoke. His mother died of cancer in 1990, according to OPB, which also reported that the Vatican said his older brother Louis, who lives in Florida, is hospitalized with cancer. WKYT, citing CBS News, reported that Louis Prevost's wife said he is in a clinical trial for multiple myeloma.

Reaction came from Catholic communities across the United States. At Villanova University, where the pope graduated, Fr. Rob Hagan of the Augustinian Province of St. Thomas of Villanova told 6abc the pope had been praying for others, adding, "And now it's our time to pray for him." Hagan said the pope had planned to present a sustainability medal named for him at a university conference in Italy but could not because of his health.

In Lexington, Kentucky, papal missionary Jim Sichko, a three-time cancer survivor, told WKYT that such a diagnosis is "always unsettling, even if you are a person of faith." In Honolulu, parishioners attended Mass Tuesday to pray for his recovery, Hawaii News Now reported.

Compiled by True News from reporting by 6abc Action News, WKYT, Hawaii News Now and OPB. Each outlet's original story is linked below.

Originally published by True News: https://truenews.bagleyenterprises.net/stories/107