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Pope Leo XIV diagnosed with lung cancer: What the Vatican statement says

The first American pope was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital on Tuesday afternoon, where he underwent a 90-minute surgery.

Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican / Andreas SOLARO

Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican / Andreas SOLAROAFP

Joaquín Núñez
Published by
Joaquín Núñez

Pope Leo XIV was diagnosed with lung cancer, the Vatican reported on Tuesday, just hours after he underwent surgery at the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital in Rome. According to a statement from the Holy See Press Office, surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung, and analysis of the tissue during the operation confirmed lung adenocarcinoma.

According to the statement, signed by Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora, the pope spent about three hours in the operating room, of which the surgery itself lasted about 90 minutes. Doctors said the procedure was a success and that there were no complications.

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The first American pope was admitted to the hospital on Tuesday afternoon. On Monday, he had carried out his usual activities and greeted supporters and patients at the facility.

Subsequently, the Holy See issued a statement regarding the health of Leo XIV: "An intraoperative histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, as suspected from the preoperative examination."

What is lung adenocarcinoma?

According to the Cancer Center, it is the most common subtype of lung cancer. While it may not cause symptoms at first, it is usually detected during tests performed for other reasons. When symptoms do appear, they include a persistent cough, shortness of breath and chest pain.

"This form of lung cancer accounts for more than 30 percent of all lung cancers and about half of all non-small cell lung cancers," the institute notes.

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