Pope Leo XIV is recovering in hospital following surgery to remove a cancerous portion of his right lung, although concerns have emerged that his recovery could take longer than anticipated, potentially affecting his upcoming international travel schedule.
The 71-year-old pontiff underwent a nearly three-hour operation at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday after doctors discovered a malignant nodule during a routine medical examination. The Vatican confirmed that the procedure was completed successfully and that the pope experienced no immediate complications.
Medical examinations conducted Wednesday, including blood tests and a chest X-ray, indicated that his recovery was progressing normally. According to the Vatican, the pope spent a peaceful night following surgery, resumed eating regular meals and began walking around his hospital room. His medical team reported that the results remained within the expected range for the procedure.
Doctors diagnosed Leo with adenocarcinoma, a form of non-small cell lung cancer, after examining the removed tissue. This category accounts for approximately 80 per cent of lung cancer cases, according to the American Lung Association. The Vatican has not disclosed whether the disease has spread, and doctors have not indicated whether additional treatment will be necessary.
Despite the Vatican’s reassuring medical updates, Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori warned that the pope’s recovery could extend beyond initial expectations, raising uncertainty over his planned visit to Peru beginning November 11.
Speaking on Peruvian television, Fujimori expressed hope for the pontiff’s recovery while acknowledging that his medical condition could require adjustments to the visit. Leo, who was born in Chicago, spent more than two decades serving in Peru and maintains strong personal and religious connections with the South American country.
The scheduled trip forms part of a broader two-week visit to South America, although the Vatican has not announced whether the itinerary will be modified or postponed.
The operation was led by Dr. Stefano Margaritora, chief thoracic surgeon at Gemelli Hospital. Following the procedure, Leo regained consciousness normally and was transferred to a hospital room on the tenth floor after a brief period of observation.
The diagnosis marks the first publicly disclosed major health concern of Leo’s papacy. The spiritual leader of approximately 1.4 billion Catholics revealed the medical issue during his Sunday prayer, an unusual public acknowledgment of a pontiff’s personal health condition.
The surgery comes amid a demanding international schedule for Leo, who recently visited Paris, where he celebrated an outdoor Mass attended by hundreds of thousands of people and addressed concerns about the growing influence of artificial intelligence.
Messages of support have arrived from religious leaders, political figures and Catholics around the world. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he and his wife were praying for the pope’s recovery, while German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed hope for his swift return to health.
New York Archbishop Ronald Hicks also welcomed the successful surgery and offered prayers for the pontiff’s continued recuperation.
For now, the Vatican maintains that Leo’s recovery is proceeding as expected, with further medical assessments likely to determine when he can resume his official duties and whether his planned South American visit can proceed as scheduled.
