Pope Diagnosed With Lung Cancer

Image Credit: Massimo Percossi/EPA via The Guardian

On Sunday 11 October, during his weekly prayer in St Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV announced that he would undergo surgery to remove a nodule in his lung. The Holy Father has been reassuring, saying that “It was detected at a very early stage and is well-localised.”

The Pontiff was admitted to Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Monday. A place that is known for welcoming Popes throughout the years: the late Pope Francis was admitted there four times, while John Paul II underwent emergency surgery after his attempted assassination. Pope Leo’s surgery lasted 90 minutes. According to the doctors treating him, the procedure was successful and involved no complications. 

After spending 4 days in hospital, the Pope was discharged on the 17th October. Being in hospital did not stop Pope Leo from working. On Thursday afternoon, Leo met with the Substitute for General Affairs, Archbishop Paolo Rudelli. This meeting suggests that the Pope remains actively involved in overseeing the affairs of the Holy See. Concerning the day-to-day administration of the Vatican, this is delegated to a team of officials led by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State.

When Pope Leo was elected in May 2025 at the age of 69, without a history of health issues,  many observers were expecting a long pontificate. When succeeding Pope Francis, Leo brought back a sense of renewal to the Church: Vatican experts compared him to Pope John Paul II, whose pontificate lasted nearly 27 years. With potentially many years ahead of him, Leo was initially seen as a Pope who would take his time before making major decisions. However, concerns about his health have raised worries regarding the future of his pontificate. Cardinal Parolin stated: “The Pope will also adjust his pontificate, if it needs to be adjusted”. This statement suggests that the prospect of a lengthy papacy for Leo XIV can no longer be taken for granted.