Pope Leo XIV Undergoes Lung Surgery

Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery on Tuesday to remove a cancerous growth from his lung, according to a statement from the Vatican. The procedure took place at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, involving the removal of the lower lobe of his right lung. Doctors confirmed the presence of lung adenocarcinoma, consistent with previous test results.

Lung adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer in the United States, accounting for approximately 40% of lung cancer cases, according to the Lung Cancer Foundation of America. The surgery lasted about 90 minutes and was deemed successful. Pope Leo XIV awoke normally and returned to his room on the hospital’s 10th floor after a brief observation period.

At 71, Pope Leo XIV is considered relatively young for a pope and maintains an active lifestyle. He engages in weekly workouts and plays tennis regularly with his personal secretary. Additionally, he enjoys horseback riding at Castel Gandolfo, the papal retreat.

Pope Leo XIV does not have a history of smoking, though cancer has affected his family. The Vatican also reported that his older brother Louis, residing in Florida, is currently hospitalized with cancer. Their mother, Mildred, passed away from cancer in 1990 at the age of 77. The Pope once shared in letters to friends about his mother’s resilience during chemotherapy treatments back in 1984.

The Vatican has cleared the Pope’s public schedule for several days, at least until October 20. Further treatment plans have not yet been announced.