Pope Leo XIV is eating regular meals, walking around his room, and doing respiratory physiotherapy at Rome's Gemelli Hospital. This update comes just days after the 71-year-old pontiff underwent surgery to remove a cancerous mass from his right lung. Medical updates shared by Dr. Luigi Carbone and thoracic surgeon Dr. Stefano Margaritora confirm that initial blood tests and chest x-rays look completely normal.
The procedure took place on October 13, 2026. Surgeons used a video-assisted technique to remove the lower lobe of the Pope's right lung after preoperative exams and intraoperative tests confirmed a diagnosis of pulmonary adenocarcinoma, the most common type of non-small cell lung cancer. The operation itself lasted about 90 minutes, with the entire procedure keeping the pontiff in the operating room for roughly three hours.
Recovery is moving fast. The Vatican press office reported that Pope Leo woke up normally, asked for dinner shortly after the operation, and spent his first evening chatting with his secretaries and hospital staff. By Wednesday, he was already up and walking.
Why This Surgery Matters for the Vatican
When a world leader faces a major health crisis, the global spotlight intensifies instantly. Pope Leo is the first US-born leader of the Roman Catholic Church, making his papacy uniquely watched across continents. Hearing that he is eating normally and starting physical activity so quickly provides immense reassurance to the 1.4 billion-strong global community.
Thoracic surgery of this magnitude is tough at any age. Removing an entire lung lobe requires rigorous post-operative care, specifically respiratory exercises to help the remaining lung tissue expand and compensate. The medical team's prompt mobilization—getting him out of bed and walking within twenty-four hours—is standard best practice to prevent complications like pneumonia or blood clots.
What Comes Next in the Recovery Process
Public engagements for Pope Leo are canceled through October 20, and doctors expect him to remain hospitalized for about a week. While early signs look promising, specialists are analyzing the removed tissue to determine if the cancer was entirely contained within the lower lobe.
If the margins are clear and lymph nodes show no involvement, surgery alone might be the complete treatment. If further examination reveals any spread, medical teams will decide whether follow-up therapies are necessary. For now, the focus remains entirely on rest, physical rehabilitation, and monitoring his daily progress at Gemelli Hospital.
