A cancerous tumour has been removed from Pope Leo’s right lung during surgery at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, the Vatican said, adding that further tests were being conducted to determine whether the disease had spread.
“The lower lobe of the right lung was removed” to ensure the procedure was comprehensive, the Vatican said in a statement.
The operation confirmed a diagnosis of pulmonary adenocarcinoma, as suspected during pre-operative tests, according to the statement.
The 71-year-old pontiff spent approximately three hours in the operating room, with the surgery itself lasting around half that time. The Vatican described the operation as successful and said there had been no complications. A source added that the pope had requested dinner following the procedure.
Juanita Mora, a medical spokesperson for the American Lung Association, told AFP that pulmonary adenocarcinoma generally has a favourable prognosis when detected at an early stage. However, she said the outlook would depend on the cancer’s stage and whether it had spread.
According to Mora, five-year survival rates can range from 80 to 98 per cent when the cancer is detected early, remains localised and is surgically removed. She said doctors would assess whether additional treatment, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy or immunotherapy, was necessary.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a practising Catholic, said he and his wife were praying for the pope’s recovery following the diagnosis.
“May the Lord give him strength and the Holy Spirit guide the medical professionals taking care of the Holy Father,” Rubio said in a message on X.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also expressed his support, saying his thoughts and prayers were with the pontiff. He described Leo as a voice for peace, humanity and reason in the modern world.
Earlier on Tuesday, the pope had entered the hospital smiling and waving to those present. He is staying on the building’s 10th floor, near a papal suite with a private chapel that is currently undergoing renovation.
The Vatican expects his recovery to take approximately one week. His audiences have been cancelled until October 20, while the surgery has raised questions about whether he will undertake a planned visit to Latin America next month.
The hospitalisation marks Leo’s first since he became head of the Catholic Church on May 8, 2025.
During his Angelus address in St Peter’s Square on Sunday, the pope revealed that doctors had discovered a lung nodule at a very early stage during medical examinations.
“The doctors believe it would be right to intervene,” he said.
The Vatican has traditionally maintained strict confidentiality regarding the health of popes. However, it adopted a more transparent approach during the illness of Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, who openly discussed his medical problems.
People gathered outside the hospital expressed concern about Leo’s condition. Italian resident Giorgia Fei, 57, said she was worried but believed the pope was receiving excellent medical care.
Another well-wisher, Giuseppe Purpura, 72, said he had not expected the diagnosis, adding that he was relieved the condition had apparently been detected in time.
Cardinal Baldassare Reina, Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome, led a rosary prayer for the pope inside the hospital chapel. The Vatican broadcast the service, which was attended by dozens of people. Reina also urged parishes across the city to join in prayers for Leo.
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin told Italian news agency ANSA that the pope had remained calm about his condition when they met on Monday.
The Vatican said the lung nodule was discovered during routine medical checks and that Leo had not experienced symptoms that prompted doctors to examine his lungs.
Born in Chicago, Leo is the first American pope and is generally considered to be in good health.
He is scheduled to visit South America from November 6 to 17, with planned stops in Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. His recovery and any additional treatment could affect those travel arrangements.
