Pope Leo Found to Have Lung Cancer During Surgery, Vatican Says
The gist
Pope Leo XIV had the lower lobe of his right lung removed Tuesday after surgery confirmed lung adenocarcinoma.
The 71-year-old leads 1.4 billion Catholics and has no deputy if he is incapacitated.
How it unfolded
- May 2025Leo XIV, the first American pope, is elected by the world's cardinals to lead the Roman Catholic Church.
- Oct 8, 2026Pope Leo attends holy mass for the inauguration of the academic year of the pontifical universities at St. Peter's Basilica.
- Oct 11, 2026The Vatican says Pope Leo will undergo surgery after a nodular lesion was found in his lung.