Pope Leo lung cancer surgery: what kind of operation did he have and what happens next?

16 October 2026 at 05:00

Pontiff is recovering from a lobectomy, which is standard treatment for lung cancer caught early and can be curative

On Tuesday, surgeons in Rome removed the lower part of Pope Leo’s right lung, after a routine health check found a small growth that tests have since confirmed as lung cancer. The operation, called a lobectomy, is the standard treatment for lung cancer caught early, and for many patients it is the only treatment they will ever need. So what exactly did his doctors do, and what happens next?

Catholics pray around the world for the pope's health – video

The Guardian - Europe

15 October 2026 at 15:14

Worshippers are attending mass and praying for Pope Leo XIV's recovery after doctors removed cancerous tissue on 13 October. The 71-year-old pontiff was diagnosed with lung cancer before undergoing an operation. The Vatican has reported his recovery is progressing as expected and the pope has thanked well-wishers for their prayers

Doctors say Pope Leo's lung has recovered well from surgery and say his post-operative tests normal

PBS NewsHour - The Latest

By: Nicole Winfield, Associated Press · Colleen Barry, Associated Press

15 October 2026 at 14:11

The 71-year-old Leo had the lower right lobe of his right lung removed on Tuesday after doctors identified a suspected cancerous nodule.

Pope Leo’s recovery from lung cancer surgery ‘progressing as planned’

The Guardian - Europe

By: Angela Giuffrida in Rome

14 October 2026 at 23:31

Pontiff has begun walking in his hospital room and is eating normally after operation to remove growth, doctors say

Pope Leo’s recovery from a lung cancer operation is progressing as planned, his doctors have said, as the pontiff received good wishes from around the world, including from Britain’s King Charles.

Leo, who had a cancerous mass removed from his right lung late on Tuesday, began walking in his hospital room after respiratory therapy on Wednesday. He was eating normally, his doctors Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritoria said in a statement issued by the Vatican.

Pope Leo diagnosed with lung cancer as growth removed during surgery

The Guardian - Europe

By: Angela Giuffrida in Rome

13 October 2026 at 21:32

Vatican says pontiff had lower lobe of right lung removed in ‘successful, on schedule and as planned’ operation in Rome

Pope Leo has lung cancer, the Vatican said late on Tuesday.

Leo, 71, underwent an operation and had the lower lobe of his right lung removed, with tests confirming a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, the Vatican said in a medical bulletin, which followed an earlier statement saying the pope’s operation had concluded “successfully, on schedule and as planned”.

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