Health & Food
Vatican confirms Pope Leo XIV has lung adenocarcinoma
A Holy See update says postoperative tests are normal and Leo has begun walking and eating regular meals. It gives no cancer staging or treatment details; the Vatican still had a November trip scheduled, while its feasibility remains uncertain.
Executive summary
- Diagnosis confirmed: A Holy See medical bulletin says an intraoperative histological examination confirmed lung adenocarcinoma, as preoperative tests had suggested. Surgeons removed the lower lobe of Leo’s right lung in a procedure the Vatican said was successful and without complications.[1][2][3]
- Further details not disclosed: The medical bulletin does not state the cancer’s stage, whether it has spread, or what treatment may follow. The Vatican previously said Leo’s public audiences were canceled through Oct. 20 and estimated about a week in hospital; it has not confirmed a discharge date.[4][5]
- Recovery is progressing normally: A Holy See press office update says postoperative blood tests and a chest X-ray showed a normal recovery; Leo has started walking in his room, resumed regular meals and is receiving respiratory physiotherapy. It gives no staging or treatment details.[6][7]
- November trip remains uncertain: The Vatican still had Leo’s Nov. 6–17 trip to Spain and Equatorial Guinea on its schedule, AP reported, but a final medical decision was not announced. Peru’s president publicly urged caution; neither statement establishes that the trip is canceled or will proceed.[8]
A medical bulletin issued by the Holy See Press Office says an intraoperative histological examination confirmed lung adenocarcinoma, as preoperative tests had indicated. Surgeons removed the lower lobe of Leo’s right lung using a video-assisted technique. The statement says the surgery lasted about 90 minutes, was successful and had no complications.[1][2][3]
The Holy See says Leo woke normally after the operation and returned to his room on the hospital’s 10th floor after a short observation period. Its earlier notice said his scheduled audiences were canceled through Oct. 20 and that he was expected to stay at the hospital for about a week. That was an estimate before surgery, not a confirmed discharge date.[1][4][5]
The bulletin identifies the tumor type but does not give a stage, say whether cancer has spread, or describe a treatment plan. The Vatican’s account of a successful operation and the pope’s immediate return to his room does not establish a longer-term prognosis.[1][2][3]
The medical update is the first public confirmation of the pathology result in this story. Until the Holy See releases more information, details about staging, possible additional treatment and the timing of Leo’s return to public duties remain unknown.[1][2]
In an Oct. 14 update attributed to the Holy See Press Office, Vatican News reported that postoperative blood tests and a chest X-ray showed recovery progressing normally. Leo had begun walking in his hospital room, resumed regular food and was undergoing respiratory physiotherapy. These are observations about recovery from surgery; the statement did not address the cancer’s stage, spread, additional treatment or long-term prognosis.[6][7]
A separate AP report said the Vatican continued to list a Nov. 6–17 trip to Spain and Equatorial Guinea on the pope’s schedule, while noting uncertainty about whether his recovery would allow it. Peru’s president, whose country had been discussed as a possible addition, publicly suggested caution. As of those reports, there was no final travel decision; a scheduled itinerary is not confirmation that Leo will make the trip.[8]