Pope Leo XIV arrived at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, for surgery to remove part of his lung. Doctors operated to excise a cancerous growth from his right lung. The Vatican confirmed the completion of the surgery and disclosed that the removed tissue was affected by lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer.
The surgery at Gemelli Hospital involved removing the lower lobe of Pope Leo’s right lung. This procedure lasted about 90 minutes, and was followed by a period of observation. Leo awoke normally and returned to his hospital room. He remains physically active at 71, often playing tennis and riding horses at Castel Gandolfo.
Pope Leo has no history of smoking, but cancer is prevalent in his family. His older brother Louis is hospitalized with cancer in Florida, while his mother, Mildred, passed away from cancer in 1990 at age 77. Leo once wrote about his mother’s chemotherapy, describing her as a resilient individual.
The Vatican announced that Pope Leo will take a break from public duties until at least October 20. Future treatments are yet to be determined by his medical team.
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