Pope Leo XIV undergoes successful surgery for lung tumor in Rome
Pope Leo XIV has undergone a successful three-hour operation at Gemelli Hospital in Rome to remove a malignant lung tumor, with audiences suspended until October 20.
Pope Leo XIV was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital and underwent a three-hour surgical procedure to remove an early-stage malignant lung tumor. Doctors successfully extracted an adenocarcinoma from the lower right lobe of his lung without any reported complications.
The lesion was initially discovered during a standard medical examination, prompting the pontiff to follow medical advice and proceed with the operation. Vatican officials confirmed that all papal audiences have been suspended through October 20 to allow for a planned one-week post-operative recovery period on the hospital's tenth floor. Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin described the announcement as a sudden shock but noted that the pontiff remained serene and expressed confidence in his full recovery.
Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, Il Sole 24 Ore, La Repubblica.
Sources
- Il Messaggero — Papa Leone e il nodulo al polmone, l'intervento al Gemelli martedì: in cosa consiste e per quanto resterà in ospedale
- Il Sole 24 Ore — Papa, in mattinata l’arrivo al Policlinico Gemelli
- ANSA — Oggi il ricovero del Papa al Gemelli per rimuovere un nodulo al polmone
- Corriere della Sera — Papa Leone, ricoverato al Gemelli | L'arrivo poco dopo le 13. Il Vaticano: «Nel pomeriggio sarà operato per il nodulo al polmone»
- La Repubblica — Il Papa tre ore in sala operatoria: “Tumore maligno al polmone rimosso il lobo inferiore destro”
Earlier coverage
- Oct 16, 2026, 03:00 PM UTCPope Leo XIV shows steady recovery after lung surgery as discharge nears
- Oct 16, 2026, 03:30 AM UTCPope Leo XIV undergoes successful surgery to remove malignant lung tumor
- Oct 14, 2026, 04:00 PM UTCPope Leo XIV undergoes successful surgery to remove lung tumor
- Oct 14, 2026, 03:00 PM UTCPope Leo XIV undergoes successful surgery to remove lung tumor
- Oct 14, 2026, 09:00 AM UTCPope Leo XIV undergoes successful surgery to remove lung tumor
- Oct 14, 2026, 02:00 AM UTCPope Leo XIV undergoes successful surgery to remove malignant lung tumor
- Oct 13, 2026, 05:00 PM UTCPope Leo to undergo lung surgery in Rome following nodule detection
- Oct 13, 2026, 09:00 AM UTCPope Leo to enter hospital ahead of lung surgery
- Oct 13, 2026, 02:30 AM UTCPope Leo to undergo lung surgery after nodule detected