Pope Leo XIV undergoes successful surgery to remove malignant lung tumor
Pope Leo XIV has undergone a successful three-hour procedure at Gemelli Hospital to remove a malignant lung tumor, with medical staff awaiting biopsy results to decide on further treatment.
Pope Leo XIV underwent a three-hour surgical procedure at Rome's Gemelli Hospital to remove an early-stage malignant lung tumor. Doctors successfully extracted an adenocarcinoma from the lower right lobe of his lung without any complications.
The lesion was initially detected during a routine medical check-up. The surgical team, led by specialist Stefano Margaritora, utilized minimally invasive techniques. Following the procedure, the pontiff returned to his tenth-floor room to begin a planned one-week post-operative recovery.
Vatican officials confirmed that all papal audiences remain suspended through October 20. Over the next ten days, medical staff will review biopsy results from the removed mass and lymph nodes to determine if further treatment will be required. Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin described the initial news as a shock but noted that officials remain confident in the Pope's recovery.
Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, Il Sole 24 Ore, La Repubblica.
Sources
- 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”
- Il Messaggero — Papa Leone quando torna? Dieci giorni per valutare la biopsia sul carcinoma, poi la scelta sulla terapia
Earlier coverage
- Oct 16, 2026, 03:00 PM UTCPope Leo XIV shows steady recovery after lung surgery as discharge nears
- Oct 14, 2026, 09:30 PM UTCPope Leo XIV undergoes successful surgery for lung tumor in Rome
- 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