Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing surgery on Tuesday to remove a nodular lesion from his right lung, the Vatican announced. The 71-year-old pontiff was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, the Vatican said in a news release after the surgery, describing the operation as “successful” and without “complications.” He said the diagnosis of lung cancer was confirmed during surgery. The Pope was in the operating room for about three hours, the Vatican said, while the procedure itself lasted 90 minutes. “To ensure a radical resection, the lower lobe of the right lung was removed using a video-assisted technique,” the Vatican said in a statement. “Intraoperative histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of pulmonary adenocarcinoma, as suspected from preoperative testing.” According to the Vatican, the Pope “regained consciousness normally” after the procedure and was then taken back to his room on the 10th floor of Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. In its statement, the Vatican did not reveal what stage the cancer was or whether it may have spread. He also did not detail what additional procedures or treatments the Pope might have to undergo. Pope Lion “We’re going to need to get more information about his pathology,” Dr. David Jones, chief of thoracic surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, told CBS News. “Were lymph nodes involved? What is the molecular pathology being performed that may help dictate what therapy, if any, is indicated?” Leo, who was born in Chicago, is known for leading a healthy, active lifestyle, including swimming and playing tennis, all factors that likely worked in his favor before surgery. He has maintained a busy schedule since becoming pope a year and a half ago. Leo entered Gemelli Hospital in Rome through the main entrance later that day and greeted dozens of well-wishers who had gathered to greet him, The Associated Press reported. According to the Vatican, the team that performed the surgery was led by Dr. Stefano Margaritora, Gemelli’s chief thoracic surgeon. The Vatican on Monday canceled all of Leo’s audiences until October 20. There was no word on whether Leo would be able to keep his planned trip to South America next month. Pope Leo XIV greets the faithful as he arrives at Gemelli Hospital on October 13, 2026 in Rome, Italy. Simone Risoluti – Vatican Media via Vatican Pool / Getty Images The typical recommendation for such a procedure is to avoid air travel for about three weeks, which would put the Pope against the start of that trip, which is scheduled for November 6. Moss told CBS News that Vatican protocol requires the pope’s cardinals and assistants to step in and assume many of his duties as needed. “We must also hope that, to the extent possible, Pope Leo will continue to work,” Moss said. “We have a long tradition of popes, not only Pope Francis, but also Pope John Paul II, who had Parkinson’s for 10 years, who continued to be as active as they could, and as active in Catholic liturgies as they could, until the end of their terms.” While Gemelli has a dedicated papal apartment that previous popes have used, complete with a private chapel on the 10th floor, Leo will actually be staying in a room nearby as the papal apartment is under renovation, according to the Vatican press office. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a social media post that he and his wife were “united in prayer” for the pope. “May the Lord give him strength and the Holy Spirit guide the medical professionals who care for the Holy Father,” Rubio wrote. The Vatican had announced on Sunday that Leo would undergo surgery after a nodular lesion was found in his lung. According to the American Thoracic Society, a lung nodule typically measures less than half an inch and is discovered using a CT scan. According to the Thoracic Society, less than 5% turn out to be cancer. If a nodule is determined to be cancerous, it is usually a sign of early-stage lung cancer. “The doctors believe it is better to act, so, following their advice, I have decided to have surgery to remove it,” Leo said during his Sunday noon blessing. “Thank you for your spiritual support and I commend myself to your prayers.” Lung adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer in the United States, according to the Lung Cancer Foundation of America, accounting for about 40% of all lung cancers diagnosed. It forms in glandular cells in the outer parts of the lung and is likely to be diagnosed earlier than other lung cancers because it spreads more slowly, the LCFA said. Symptoms may include fatigue, shortness of breath, and pain in the upper back and chest. Treatments may include surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation. One of Pope Leo’s two brothers also battling cancer, Louis Prevost, Pope Leo’s older brother who resides in Florida, has multiple myeloma and is undergoing treatment, his wife, Deborah Prevost, told CBS News on Tuesday. Multiple myeloma is a form of blood cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic. It is formed in plasma cells, which are a type of white blood cell, and then accumulates in the bone marrow. Deborah Prevost did not share what stage her husband’s cancer is at, but said he is currently in a clinical trial at a local hospital where he is being treated. She said her husband was first diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2017, but was able to keep it at a “very low level” after undergoing treatment in 2019 that included stem cell treatment and a clinical trial. “He came out of remission” three months ago, he said. Deborah Prevost could not comment on the details of Pope Leo’s condition, but said her husband and brother spoke last week before Louis Prevost went to his clinical trial. Pope Leo also informed his brother of his own situation. “He [Pope Leo] “They called us to let us know what would be happening,” Deborah Prevost told CBS News. “We continue to pray, keeping our spirits high for both of us.” Cristian Benavides and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Pope Leo XIV: The First American Pope Go Deeper with The Free Press In:
