Pope Leo recovering well after cancer surgery, Vatican says

Key points

• Pope Leo XIV is recovering after surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, which led to a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma.
• The Vatican says the 71-year-old pontiff is out of bed, walking, eating and undergoing respiratory physiotherapy at Rome's Gemelli hospital.
• All papal audiences through October 20 have been cancelled, and doctors are not yet discussing chemotherapy or other therapies.

Pope Leo XIV is recovering well after surgery for lung cancer, the Vatican said in a doctor's note published on Wednesday. The 71-year-old pontiff is out of bed, walking, eating and has begun respiratory physiotherapy at Rome's Gemelli hospital.

A blood test and chest X-ray showed what doctors Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora called normal post-operative progress, with values within the expected range for the procedure. The Vatican said the surgery lasted 90 minutes and was successful, with no complications.

Cancer found after operation

The Vatican said the pope was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma after an operation to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. Preoperative tests had led doctors to suspect the diagnosis, according to a medical bulletin published on Tuesday.

A statement from the Holy See's press office noted the radical removal of the lobe, indicating doctors took out all suspect tissue in the hope of eliminating any remaining traces of the cancer. The Vatican did not give details on the recovery outlook or the course of treatment.

The Holy Father underwent respiratory physiotherapy and has begun walking in his room

— doctors Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora

Hospital stay and cancelled events

After the procedure, Pope Leo returned to his room at Gemelli hospital, where he is expected to recover for a week. All his audiences through October 20 have been cancelled.

The Vatican said doctors are not currently discussing chemotherapy or other therapies while they await the results of other tests.