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Pope Leo XIV undergoes lung cancer surgery

Catholic IntelligenceUpdated 1 min read

Pope Leo XIV underwent successful surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung on Oct. 13, 2026, at Gemelli Hospital in Rome. Following the procedure, the Vatican announced that medical examinations confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma.

Dr. Stefano Margaritora, chief thoracic surgeon at Gemelli Hospital, and Dr. Luigi Carbone issued a joint statement confirming the diagnosis, which had been suspected during preoperative testing. The pope has returned to his hospital room and is expected to remain at Gemelli Hospital for one week of recovery. Doctors plan to conduct further tests on the removed tissue in the coming days.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops urged the faithful to pray for the pope, his medical team, and those living with cancer. In the United States, the Archdiocese of New York asked for strength and peace for the pope, while Bishop David M. O'Connell and the Diocese of Trenton expressed well wishes for his recovery. Archbishop Andrew Nkea of Bamenda, Cameroon, noted that the diagnosis was surprising because the pope had appeared to be in good health during an apostolic visit to Africa in April.

AI-assisted briefing based on the sources below.

6 sources16 reports4 languages

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Earlier version, Thursday 15 October

Pope Leo XIV diagnosed with lung cancer

Earlier version, Wednesday 14 October

Pope Leo XIV undergoes surgery for lung cancer

How the coverage unfolded

  1. Oct 13, 4:31 PM Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend US bishops, lawmakers offer prayers for Pope Leo after cancer diagnosis
  2. Oct 14, 3:39 AM Vatican News Tiếng Việt Các Giám mục và giới chức Hoa Kỳ cầu nguyện cho Đức Thánh Cha sau chẩn đoán ngài bị ung thư
  3. Oct 14, 9:00 AM The Catholic Sun Prayers, well-wishes pour in after pope’s lung cancer diagnosis
  4. Oct 14, 8:35 AM The Tablet US Bishops, Lawmakers Offer Prayers for Pope Leo After Cancer Diagnosis
  5. Oct 14, 8:59 AM The Catholic Telegraph Prayers, well-wishes pour in after pope’s lung cancer diagnosis
  6. Oct 14, 10:14 AM The Catholic Register Prayers, well-wishes pour in after Pope's lung cancer diagnosis
  7. Oct 14, 10:49 AM The Catholic Spirit Prayers, well-wishes pour in after pope’s lung cancer diagnosis
  8. Oct 14, 8:55 AM OSV News Prayers, well-wishes pour in after pope’s lung cancer diagnosis
  9. Oct 14, 8:22 AM The Central Minnesota Catholic US bishops, lawmakers, Bishop Neary offer prayers for Pope Leo after cancer diagnosis
  10. Oct 14, 11:45 AM National Catholic Reporter Prayers, well-wishes pour in after pope's lung cancer diagnosis
  11. Oct 14, 12:58 PM The Monitor US bishops, lawmakers offer prayers for Pope Leo after cancer diagnosis
  12. Oct 14, 12:52 PM The Monitor Español Obispos y legisladores de EEUU rezan por el Papa León tras su diagnóstico de cáncer
  13. Oct 14, 3:24 PM Crux Pope Leo XIV has lung cancer called adenocarcinoma. Here’s what that means
  14. Oct 14, 5:42 PM Archdiocese of Huê Tiếng Việt Các Giám mục và giới chức Hoa Kỳ cầu nguyện cho ĐTC Lêô XIV sau chẩn đoán ngài bị ung thư
  15. Oct 15, 9:45 AM The Central Minnesota Catholic Español Obispos y legisladores de EEUU rezan por el Papa León tras su diagnóstico de cáncer
  16. Oct 15, 7:53 AM Stacja7 Polski Gruczolakorak płuca u Leona XIV. Lekarz pulmonolog wyjaśnia, co oznacza diagnoza papieża

More on Pope Leo XIV

  1. Oct 22, 2:30 PM PT · 46 sources Pope Leo XIV's doctors confirm no further treatment is necessary
  2. Oct 22, 2:30 PM PT · 33 sources Pope Leo XIV needs no further treatment after lung cancer surgery
  3. Oct 22, 2:30 PM PT · 57 sources Pope Leo XIV leads the Angelus
  4. Oct 22, 1:21 PM PT Chicago artist creates Marian icon for Pope Leo XIV, who will keep the image in his bedroom
  5. Oct 22, 1:17 PM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV is cancer-free
  6. Oct 22, 1:00 PM PT · 11 sources Pope Leo XIV urges Catholic schools to help young people
  7. Oct 22, 12:43 PM PT · 25 sources Pope Leo XIV meets American Jewish Committee
  8. Oct 22, 12:12 PM PT · 11 sources Pope Leo XIV invites young people to Seoul for WYD 2027
  9. Oct 22, 12:11 PM PT · 3 sources Pope Leo XIV to visit Argentina
  10. Oct 22, 11:21 AM PT · 25 sources Pope Leo XIV invites youth to Seoul for World Youth Day 2027
  11. Oct 22, 10:39 AM PT · 3 sources Pope Leo XIV to hold private audience with Villanova, Notre Dame teams
  12. Oct 22, 10:13 AM PT · 5 sources Pope Leo XIV invites 2027 World Youth Day participants
  13. Oct 22, 9:05 AM PT Pope Leo XIV and the Pressure to Be Perfect: “Many Give Up Before Even Trying”
  14. Oct 22, 8:30 AM PT A Global Symphony of Prayer: 16 Readers Share Ways They Prayed for Pope Leo XIV
  15. Oct 22, 8:20 AM PT · 6 sources Pope Leo XIV invites young people to Seoul for WYD 2027
  16. Oct 22, 8:07 AM PT · 33 sources Pope Leo XIV appoints 24 new members to International Theological Commission
  17. Oct 22, 8:01 AM PT · 7 sources Pope Leo XIV appoints Leandro Machado Silvestre as bishop of Guajará-Mirim
  18. Oct 22, 8:01 AM PT · 21 sources Pope Leo XIV leads General Audience on October 21, 2026, emphasizing marriage and family
  19. Oct 22, 8:01 AM PT · 23 sources Pope Leo XIV receives participants in Holiness in History conference
  20. Oct 22, 7:28 AM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas presented to Dutch and Flemish bishops
  21. Oct 22, 6:18 AM PT · 61 sources Pope Leo XIV speaks with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
  22. Oct 22, 5:20 AM PT · 9 sources Pope Leo XIV backs Synod on Synodality
  23. Oct 22, 4:30 AM PT · 3 sources COMECE bishops send message of prayer and support to Pope Leo XIV
  24. Oct 22, 4:01 AM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV receives participants of Congress on Pastoral Care in Schools and Universities
  25. Oct 22, 3:55 AM PT · 25 sources Pope Leo XIV emphasizes protecting marriage at general audience

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