Pope Leo XIV undergoes surgery after doctors find cancerous growth in his lung

Pope Leo XIV is recovering in a Rome hospital after surgeons removed part of his right lung, following the discovery of a cancerous growth, according to a Vatican statement. The Vatican said the operation was completed as planned and that the pontiff had returned to his room afterward. Doctors Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora said the Holy Father underwent the scheduled thoracic procedure. Margaritora said surgeons removed the lower lobe of the right lung using video-assisted surgery, describing the approach as intended to make the procedure more radical. Further examination of the removed tissue reportedly showed evidence of pulmonary adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer. The surgery took place the previous afternoon at Agostino Gemelli University Policlinic, a private hospital in northwest Rome with a long association with the Vatican. The hospital stay is the first of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate. The Vatican announcement also said he had cancelled all public engagements until October 20, as he recovers and receives care. No further details about his treatment or expected recovery timeline were included in the report.