Pope Leo has been diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing surgery to remove part of his right lung.
The Vatican announced Tuesday, raising fresh concerns about the 71-year-old pontiff’s health.
Doctors identified the condition as lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer.
The procedure at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital lasted around 90 minutes and was completed without complications, according to the Vatican.
But what does the diagnosis mean for the pope’s recovery?
Surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung in an attempt to eliminate the cancerous tissue.
However, doctors have not yet disclosed whether the cancer has spread, a crucial detail in determining his outlook.
Recovery And Medical Outlook
Dr Stephen Liu, a lung cancer specialist at Georgetown University, told Reuters that surgery could be curative.
This could happen if the tumour is small and has not reached the lymph nodes.
More extensive cancer involvement, he warned, would indicate a poorer prognosis.
Leo regained consciousness normally and was resting in his hospital room after the operation.
His public engagements have been cancelled until October 20, while his planned November visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru remains uncertain.
Elected in May 2025, Leo leads the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics and maintains a demanding schedule.
For now, the focus is on recovery and further medical assessments.
The coming days may provide a clearer picture of his condition.
But one question remains: will the pontiff be able to resume his duties as planned?
