The Vatican announced on Tuesday that Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer after he was operated on at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. The 71-year-old pope had his lower lobe of the right lung removed, and the Vatican reports he is making good progress on the road to recovery. Catholics around the world have prayed in response to the news and wondered about the months to come. This is the information that is available.
The diagnosis
Tests during surgery on October 13 confirmed the presence of the lung adenocarcinoma, the Vatican said, a diagnosis that was suspected before the surgery. Pope Leo spent about three hours in the operating room, with the surgery itself lasting about 90 minutes. The Vatican stated that it had done well and had no complications.
How it was found
Pope Leo revealed during his Sunday noon prayer on October 11 that doctors had found a small nodule on his lung. He said it had been discovered at a very early stage and was well localized, and that doctors felt it was best to remove it.
What adenocarcinoma is
According to the American Lung Association, the most common form of lung cancer (around 80% of the cases) is called non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which is also the most common type of adenocarcinoma. It tends to grow more slowly than other types, and can happen to smokers and non-smokers. Pope Leo doesn’t have a smoking habit.
His recovery so far
The Vatican says the pope is recovering as expected and has started respiratory physiotherapy. His doctors said blood tests and a chest X-ray showed a normal post-operative course. He has been walking around his hospital room and eating normally, and is expected to stay hospitalized for several days.
What doctors say
Oncologists said before the operation that the pope’s outlook would be excellent if the nodule was cancerous but removed early. The Vatican has not said whether the cancer has spread or whether further treatment will be needed. Its medical updates so far have focused on his recovery.
A family history
There is a history of cancer in the pope’s immediate family. His older brother, Louis Prevost, who lives in Florida, is being treated for multiple myeloma, his wife told CBS News. The pope’s parents both died of cancer in the 1990s.
Questions about the months ahead
Pope Leo has canceled public appearances until October 20. He is due to travel to Latin America next month, including Peru, where he served for many years. He had said he fully intended to make the trip, but the Vatican has not yet confirmed whether it will go ahead.
