Pope Leo Diagnosed with Lung Cancer Following Surgery

<p><a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/25/pope-leo-ai-france" target="_blank">Pope Leo</a> has been diagnosed with lung cancer, according to a statement from the Vatican on Tuesday.</p><p><strong>Details: </strong>The Vatican announced the pontiff's health news shortly after he underwent surgery to remove the <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/11/pope-leo-nodule-lung" target="_blank">lower lobe of his right lung</a>.</p><hr /><p><strong>Statement: </strong>"The surgery was completed successfully, within the expected timeframe and as planned, and the holy father has returned to his room," stated the Holy See Press Office in a press release published Tuesday.</p><ul><li>The office indicated it would provide more information soon and later confirmed Leo's diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, which tests "conducted beforehand" had led them to suspect.</li></ul><p><strong>Context: </strong>The <a href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/08/pope-conclave-white-smoke-vatican" target="_blank">first American pontiff</a> was admitted to Rome's Agostino Gemelli University Hospital on Tuesday afternoon for surgery.</p><ul><li>According to the statement, "The Pope was in the operating room approximately three hours, while the operation itself lasted about 90 minutes. The doctors said it was successful and there were no complications."</li><li>The Catholic Church leader performed his usual duties on Monday and was greeted by supporters and patients at the hospital, as noted in the Vatican statement.</li></ul><p><strong>Medical Information: </strong>Adenocarcinoma is the most common subtype of lung cancer, as reported by the Cancer Center.</p><ul><li>This type of cancer forms when the cells lining the outside of the lungs become cancerous. Symptoms may include persistent cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain, among others.</li><li>Patients with adenocarcinoma may not experience symptoms early, and it is often detected during scans for unrelated medical issues.</li></ul><p><strong>Additional Information: </strong>Doctors discovered the nodule during routine medical checkups.</p><ul><li>Leo mentioned on Sunday that the nodule "was detected at a very early stage and is well localized." He expressed gratitude to his supporters for their "spiritual closeness" and stated he was entrusting himself to their prayers.</li></ul><p><strong>Further Reading: </strong><a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/11/pope-leo-nodule-lung" target="_blank">Pope Leo to have "nodule" removed from lung</a></p><p><em>Editor's note: This story has been updated with information about Leo's diagnosis.</em></p>