This article was originally posted October 13, 2026. It will be updated as news is announced.


Pope Leo Diagnosed With Lung Cancer

Tue Oct 13, 6:00pm ET

Pope Leo has been diagnosed with lung cancer, according to The Vatican.

On Tuesday, the Pontiff has a successful surgical procedure to remove a lung nodule that was detected on lung imaging. Doctors said it was “successful and there were no complications.”

During the procedure, surgeons removed the lower lobe of the Pope’s right lung. According to the Vatican, “To ensure a radical resection, the lower lobe of the right lung was removed using a video-assisted technique.”

“An intraoperative histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, as suspected from the preoperative examinations,” according to The Vatican.

Additional tests will be conducted on the Pope’s lung tissue.

He is currently recovering and remains hospitalized at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital.


Pope Leo Reveals Diagnosis of Lung Nodule

Tue Oct 13, 12:00pm ET

Pope Leo XIV revealed that he was diagnosed with a pulmonary nodule and will undergo surgery, according to his post on X.

The 71-year-old Pope posted the following information Sunday on X:

Dear friends, during some recent medical examinations, the doctors found a small, localized nodule in my lung. It was detected at a very early stage and is well-localized. The doctors believe that it is best to intervene, so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to remove it. The operation is already scheduled to take place in the coming days. I thank you for your spiritual closeness and entrust myself to your prayers.

The Vatican Press Office posted on Sunday that the operation will take place at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital in Rome.

On Tuesday, the Pope was admitted to the facility for surgery. According to the Holy See Press Office, the operation will be carried out by the hospital’s thoracic surgery team, led by Professor Stefano Margaritora.

Lung nodules are areas of abnormal growth on the lung that are detected via thoracic imaging. According to Cleveland Clinic, they are common, detected in nearly 1-in-3 chest scans. Approximately 95% of lung nodules are benign and early detection allows lung cancer to be identified at an earlier stage, “which significantly improves treatment options and can reduce the risk of death.” [CCJM]

Pope Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis I, died at age 88 in April 2025 due to “stroke, followed by a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse,” according to the Vatican. At the time, Pope Francis had been recovering from a 38-day hospitalization for bronchitis and bilateral pneumonia.