This article was originally posted October 13, 2026. It will be updated as news is announced.
Pope’s Physicians Say No Further Treatment Needed
October 21, 8:00pm ET
A week after being discharged from the hospital following lung surgery, Pope Leo’s doctors say that “no further treatment is necessary” for his lung cancer.
According to the Vatican, the tumor removed from his lung was localized adenocarcinoma.
“The final histopathology and molecular testing reports on the tissue removed during the Holy Father’s surgery were issued today. The results confirmed that the tumor was a lung adenocarcinoma and that the disease was localized. A subsequent oncological assessment has confirmed that no further treatment is necessary,” read the full statement released by the Holy See Press Office.
Pope Leads Sunday Services at Vatican
October 18, 12:00pm ET
Five days after lung cancer surgery to remove part of his lung and the day after being discharged from the hospital, Pope Leo returned to the Vatican to lead its Sunday prayer services in St. Peter’s Square, according to the Vatican press office.
The services marked the Pope’s first scheduled event since being released from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Saturday.
At the conclusion of the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Leo XIV thanked all those who have been praying for him in recent days, saying, “I have truly felt your support. Thank you!”
He went on to express “special gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and all the staff at the Gemelli Policlinic”, where he underwent surgery on Tuesday to remove a cancerous nodule from his lung.
I would like to thank all those who have prayed for me in recent days. I wish to express my particular gratitude to the doctors, nurses and all the staff of the Gemelli Hospital. This experience has made me feel particularly close to all those who are living with illness or infirmity. Now that I have overcome this delicate phase I will gradually resume my activities, always with God’s help and your prayers.
— Pope Leo XIV (@Pontifex) October 18, 2026
Pope Discharged from Hospital
October 17, 2:30pm ET
Pope Leo was discharged on Saturday from Rome’s Agostino Gemelli hospital, according to the Vatican press office.
Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora said the Pope underwent blood tests and a chest X-ray in the morning, which confirmed that his clinical condition allowed for him to leave hospital.
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.
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.
— Pope Leo XIV (@Pontifex) October 11, 2026
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.
