Pope Leo XIV, the 71-year-old spiritual leader of the Catholic Church, has been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma following a successful 90-minute surgery performed on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at Rome's Gemelli Hospital to remove the lower portion of his right lung.
According to a statement released by the Holy See Press Office and attending physicians Dr. Luigi Carbone and Dr. Stefano Margarito, histological examinations of the resected tissue confirmed pulmonary adenocarcinoma—a type of cancer that originates in mucus-producing cells within the lungs. The Pope’s pulmonary nodule was initially identified during a routine medical examination. While pulmonary nodules are frequently benign, with fewer than five percent developing into cancer according to the American Thoracic Society, postoperative tests confirmed the malignancy.
Medical experts note that adenocarcinoma is the most common form of lung cancer, particularly among individuals who have never smoked, accounting for 50% to 60% of non-smoking lung cancer cases according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Pope Leo, who was elected in May 2025 and is known for an active lifestyle that includes playing tennis and non-smoking habits, has successfully returned to his room following a brief observation period post-surgery.
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Reported by International Desk • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
