By Emmanuel Thomas l Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2026
VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV underwent a scheduled thoracic surgery on Tuesday afternoon at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, during which surgeons successfully removed the lower lobe of his right lung after a biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, according to the Holy See Press Office.
The medical team, led by Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora, reported that the operation proceeded without complications. The Pope spent approximately three hours in the operating room, with the surgical procedure itself lasting around 90 minutes.
Following a brief period of post-operative observation, Pope Leo awoke normally and returned to his private quarters on the hospital’s 10th floor.
The Vatican’s announcement marks a significant medical development for the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV. Thoracic surgery, particularly for lung adenocarcinoma—a common form of non-small cell lung cancer—requires careful post-operative monitoring and a structured recovery period, depending on the patient’s age and overall health.
Gemelli Hospital, officially known as the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital, holds a long-standing historical relationship with the papacy.
Often referred to informally as “the Vatican’s hospital,” it has frequently served as the primary medical facility for modern popes. Notably, Pope John Paul II was treated at Gemelli numerous times throughout his pontificate, including following the 1981 assassination attempt and for subsequent health struggles.
Pope Francis also received major abdominal surgery at the facility in recent years.
Vatican officials have not yet released a detailed timeline regarding the Pope’s expected recovery period or how the surgery will impact his upcoming public schedule and engagements. Additional medical bulletins are expected from the Holy See Press Office as his recovery progresses.