Pope Leo XIV Recovers from Lung Cancer Surgery

On Wednesday, Pope Leo XIV began eating, walking, and performing respiratory physiotherapy after a video-assisted operation to remove a cancerous nodule from his right lung. The Vatican press office reported normal post-operative blood tests and chest X-ray, and that the lower-lobe removal was successful with no complications. Doctors noted the procedure lasted approximately 90 minutes, and the pope resumed his regular diet, having had breakfast and lunch that morning.

PBS News HourNewsweekLA TimesEast London and West Essex Guardian

The 71-year-old pontiff disclosed the lung nodule during his Sunday noon blessing, the first publicly announced major health issue of his papacy.

LA Times

The growth was identified as lung adenocarcinoma, the most common form of non-small-cell lung cancer. Experts not involved in the pope’s care emphasized that early-stage adenocarcinoma can often be cured and that five-year survival rates approach 90 percent when the tumor is removed promptly.

Newsweek

The Holy See Press Office, citing surgeons Dr. Luigi Carbone and Dr. Stefano Margaritora, confirmed that postoperative tests are within expected ranges and that recovery is proceeding as planned. Dr. Stephen Liu of Georgetown’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center noted that staging information—tumor size, number of nodules, and lymph-node involvement—remains pending and will determine whether additional therapy is required.

East London and West Essex Guardian

• Surgery duration: Newsweek described the operation as lasting “roughly 90 minutes,” while the Guardian-Series reported the pope was in the operating room for “about three hours.” Both outlets attribute the procedure to the same surgical team.

Newsweek

• Travel itinerary distance: The Los Angeles Times cited a planned South-American tour of “just over 19,000 miles,” whereas the Guardian-Series gave the distance as “just over 31,000 km,” a conversion that yields a similar figure but reflects differing unit choices.

LA Times

• “This morning, the Holy Father underwent the blood tests and chest X-ray scheduled after surgery. The results confirm that his postoperative recovery is progressing normally: the values are within the expected range for the type of operation performed.” — Stefano Margaritora, thoracic surgeon

Newsweek

• “A standard lung cancer surgery is called lobectomy, where an area of the lung with cancer and surrounding normal lung is removed," Mehta said.” — Dr. Hiren Mehta, interventional pulmonologist

Newsweek

• “Lung cancer caught very early can be completely cured,” — Jonathan Reiner, professor of medicine and surgery

Newsweek

The Vatican has canceled all public audiences through October 20 while the pope recuperates. A planned South-American pilgrimage scheduled for November 6-17 to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru remains uncertain; oncologists typically advise against air travel for three weeks after lobectomy, a window that would just accommodate the trip if recovery proceeds without complications. Final decisions will depend on forthcoming staging results and any additional treatment recommendations.

LA Times