Pope Leo XIV has reportedly been diagnosed with lung cancer following surgery to remove a nodule from his right lung, providing further details about the medical procedure announced earlier by the Vatican.
Gatekeepers News reports that the pontiff underwent surgery at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli University Hospital after doctors discovered a localised nodule in his lung during medical examinations.
The diagnosis reportedly identified the growth as lung adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer that develops in the cells lining the lungs.
The development follows an earlier announcement that the pope had undergone surgery to remove the lung nodule. At the time, the Vatican said the procedure had been completed as planned but did not initially disclose whether the growth was cancerous.
The pope was reported to be recovering at the hospital following the operation. His public engagements were suspended until October 20, while doctors were expected to conduct further assessments to determine whether the cancer had spread and whether additional treatment would be required.
The diagnosis marks a significant development in the pontiff’s health situation, which became public on Sunday, October 11, when he disclosed that doctors had discovered a localised lung nodule and recommended surgery.
The Vatican subsequently confirmed that the operation had been completed as planned, with the pope returning to his hospital room to recover.
