Vatican issues update on Pope Leo’s condition after cancer surgery

Por Anna Loren — – World RSS Feed

The 71-year-old had part of his right lung removed

Anna Loren Wednesday 14 October 2026 08:27 BST

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Pope Leo diagnosed with cancer after surgery to remove lower lobe of lung

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The Vatican has issued an update on Pope Leo’s condition, following a shock announcement on Tuesday that the 71-year-old pontiff has cancer.

Leo, who is the first American-born pope in history, was admitted to hospital in Rome on Tuesday for what the Vatican earlier described as the removal of a lung nodule.

Lung nodules are very common, and around 95 per cent turn out to be benign, according to experts.

However, following the 90-minute surgery at Gemelli University Hospital, the Vatican said that the pope had been diagnosed with cancer and had the lower lobe of his right lung removed.

Tests had confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer, the Vatican said.

Pope Leo XIV waves from the window of a car as he leaves the Vatican before being admitted to Rome's Gemelli University Hospital for surgery — Pope Leo XIV waves from the window of a car as he leaves the Vatican before being admitted to Rome’s Gemelli University Hospital for surgery ( AFP/Getty )

The diagnosis had been suspected during preoperative tests and was confirmed during surgery.

On Wednesday morning, the Vatican said that Leo had spent a peaceful night in hospital.

It added that further information about his condition would be released later in the day.

The Vatican on Tuesday evening had said that the surgery was successful and there were no complications. Afterwards, Leo was awake and resting in his hospital room.

The pope is recovering at the Gemelli University Hospital in Rome ( Reuters )

The Vatican has cancelled all of Leo’s audiences for a week while he recovers.

The pope is known to be sporty and in good shape, playing tennis weekly and swimming. The lung surgery is believed to be his second spell in hospital, following a stint in 1985, after he came down with typhoid fever as a young missionary priest in Chulucanas, Peru.

Leo, born Robert Francis Prevost, was elected pope in spring 2025 following the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88.

In the months since, he has repeatedly fallen foul of US President Donald Trump with his repeated calls for an end to the war in the Middle East and for better treatment of migrants.

Earlier this week, he declared capital punishment “inadmissable” after the US announced plans to livestream an execution by firing squad.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle is due to lead a Mass in St Peter’s Square on Wednesday in place of the pope.

The Mass will include special prayers for the pontiff’s health.

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