Pope Leo, the 71-year-old leader of the Catholic Church, has been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma following emergency surgery at a Rome hospital, the Vatican confirmed Monday. Doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung in a three-hour procedure after discovering the cancer during the operation.
Cancer Discovered During Emergency Procedure
The pontiff underwent surgery at Gemelli Hospital in Rome after medical teams found a suspicious nodular lesion in his lung. The Vatican described the 90-minute surgical procedure as successful with no complications. Doctors used a video-assisted technique to remove the affected portion of lung tissue. Testing during the operation confirmed the diagnosis of pulmonary adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer in the United States. Pope Leo regained consciousness normally after surgery and was moved to a special room on the hospital’s 10th floor.
Dr. Stefano Margaritora, Gemelli’s chief thoracic surgeon, led the medical team that performed the operation. The pope entered the hospital Monday morning through the main entrance, waving to dozens of well-wishers who had gathered outside. Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted on social media that he and his wife were united in prayer for the pontiff’s recovery.
The tests confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, the Vatican said in a medical bulletin after the surgery. It said the diagnosis had
Questions About Recovery and Travel Plans
Medical experts say critical questions remain about the cancer’s progression and treatment plans. Dr. David Jones, chief of thoracic surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, told reporters the medical community needs more information about lymph node involvement and molecular pathology to determine what therapy might be required. The Vatican canceled all of Pope Leo’s public audiences through October 20, raising concerns about his scheduled trip to South America next month.
Standard medical recommendations advise avoiding air travel for approximately three weeks following this type of surgery. That timeline would bring the pope right up against his planned November 6 departure date for South America. The Vatican has not yet announced whether the trip will proceed as scheduled or require postponement.
Historic Precedent for Working Popes
Candida Moss, a theology professor at the University of Birmingham in England, noted the Vatican traditionally keeps detailed health information private. She explained that Vatican protocol calls for cardinals and papal aides to assume many duties when the pope faces health challenges. However, she emphasized that modern popes typically continue working as much as possible during health crises. Pope John Paul II remained active for a decade while battling Parkinson’s disease, maintaining his papal duties until the end of his tenure. Catholic officials expect Pope Leo to follow this tradition and resume his responsibilities as his recovery permits.