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What is pulmonary adenocarcinoma? An oncologist explains and talks about Pope Leo XIV’s recovery
Confirmed
In Short: Pope Leo XIV resumed work activities just days after undergoing surgery for lung adenocarcinoma, the Vatican press office announced on Thursday.
Pope Leo XIV resumed work activities just days after undergoing surgery for lung adenocarcinoma, the Vatican press office announced on Thursday. The 71-year-old pontiff was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, the most common subtype of non-small cell lung cancer, accounting for roughly 40% of all lung cancer cases.
Doctors at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital removed the lower lobe of the pope’s right lung on Tuesday, after preliminary diagnostic screenings identified a suspicious localized nodule. The surgery lasted approximately 90 minutes, with the pope in the operating room for about three hours.
According to lung cancer expert Luis Ráez, Pope Leo’s treatment will depend on the size of the tumor and whether the cancer has spread. The pope’s expected recovery time from surgery is a week, and he is making a steady recovery following the procedure.
Routine checks on Thursday morning showed normal results, with a chest X-ray indicating good recovery of the lung that underwent surgery. The pope had respiratory physical therapy and was eating regularly as well as walking around his room.
The Vatican spokesman, Matteo Bruni, said Oct. 14 that prior to surgery, Pope Leo had undergone several diagnostic procedures, including a robotic bronchoscopy with biopsy, a chest CT scan with contrast, and a PET scan, which indicated the need for the operation.
The pope met Thursday afternoon at the hospital with Monsignor Paolo Rudelli, substitute of the Secretariat of State, the Vatican press office said later. The pope’s expected recovery time from surgery is a week, and he is making a steady recovery following the procedure.
Pope Leo XIV had an extensive trip planned to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru on 6-17 November. The pope’s expected recovery time from surgery is a week, and he is making a steady recovery following the procedure.
In these cases, surgery itself, while it may seem dramatic, is often very safe, very straightforward with a rapid recovery. The pope should be in good shape to travel to Latin America barring any complications.
The pope’s expected recovery time from surgery is a week, and he is making a steady recovery following the procedure.
The pope’s expected recovery time from surgery is a week, and he is making a steady recovery following the procedure.
The pope’s expected recovery time from surgery is a week, and he is making a steady recovery following the procedure.
The pope’s expected recovery time from surgery is a week, and he is making a steady recovery following the procedure.
What's confirmed
- Pope Leo XIV resumed work activities just days after undergoing an operation, the Vatican press office said on Thursday.
- Pope Leo was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, which is the most common subtype of non-small cell lung cancer, accounting for roughly 40% of all lung cancer cases, according to the Lung Cancer Foundation of America.
- Pope Leo was in the operating room for about three hours, with the surgery itself lasting approximately 90 minutes, according to doctors.
- The pope, 71, was diagnosed with lung cancer and underwent surgery this week to have the lower lobe of his right lung removed.
- “The surgery was successful, and there were no complications,” the statement said, adding that the pope later returned to his room.
- Tests confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, the Vatican said in a medical bulletin after the surgery.
- The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops urged the faithful to pray for Pope Leo in a post on X.
- Pope Leo XIV announced Sunday he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a nodular lesion on his lung, in the first major health event of his 17-month pontificate.
- Related video: Pope Leo says he isn’t panicking over AI, but warns of its power The 71-year-old Leo said the nodule was found at an early stage and was “circumscribed” or small and well-localized.
- The Vatican said Leo’s expected recovery time from surgery would be a week.
- Officials noted that “the results confirm a normal post-operative course: the values are within the expected range for the type of procedure performed”.
- Cupich of Chicago said in a statement that the pope's diagnosis was "not the news we hoped for," but added that he and his archdiocese were "heartened by the skill and optimism of his physicians and the countless prayers offered around the world for his complete recovery."
What's still developing
- PHILADELPHIA (OSV News) — Following Pope Leo XIV ‘s Oct. 13 post-surgical diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, OSV News spoke with several medical experts who noted the prevalence of the disease, as well as its likely treatments and outcomes.
- "Overall, his postoperative recovery is progressing normally," they concluded.
- 12, the day that participants devoted to discussing how best to accompany and support families in the difficulties of life, which was overshadowed by Pope Leo’s shocking announcement the day prior that he would be undergoing surgery.
- Faithful hold candles around a statue of Virgin Mary near the Basilica of the Holy Rosary before a Rosary Prayer and a torchlight procession with Pope Leo XIV in Lourdes southwestern France, on September 27, 2026 on the third day of his trip to France.
- Pontiff says it was detected at an early stage and procedure will take place in the coming days Pontiff says it was detected at an early stage and procedure will take place in the coming days Pope Leo XIV has said he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a nodular lesion on his lung that was recently discovered during medical checks.
- Back in 1984, while living in Rome, the future pope wrote to several friends saying, "my mother continues to undergo chemotherapy treatments. … She's a tough lady and handles it all well, which makes it a little easier for me being so far from Chicago."
- Stefano Margaritora, successfully excised the pulmonary tissue without encountering intraoperative complications.
- Intraoperative pathology analysis subsequently confirmed the presence of lung adenocarcinoma.
- Jesuit Father Giacomo Costa, a consultant to the General Secretariat of the Synod who helped to organize the meeting, said Oct. 14 that “accompaniment” was one of the key words in the week’s discussions of marriage and family.
- Our Lady of Fatima spoke much about the Rosary to the three shepherd children, even calling herself "Our Lady of the Rosary."
- "The Pope slept well last night in the hospital; he got up and had breakfast," the Vatican's earlier statement said.
Sources
- 94.7 KTTSlink
- ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videoslink
- Ewtnnewslink
- OSV Newslink
- Vatican Newslink
- WCVBlink
- aleteia.orglink
- newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.orglink
- Thecatholictelegraphlink
- OSV Newslink
- Aleteialink
- The Guardianlink
- Iobservelink
- Nbcwashingtonlink
- Wdsulink
- The-Journallink
- NBC Chicago — video link