Pope Leo XIV Shows Positive Recovery Progress Following Lung Cancer Surgery

Pope Leo XIV is recovering well after lung cancer surgery at Rome's Gemelli hospital. The Vatican reports the pontiff is eating and walking as planned.

Editorial Desk

October 15, 2026 2 Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Vatican City, Vatican — Pope Leo XIV experienced a restful night in the hospital and has already consumed breakfast, according to a Thursday update from the Vatican. The 71-year-old leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics is currently recuperating following a surgical procedure to address lung cancer.

The Vatican confirmed via a brief statement on Telegram that the pontiff is recovering well after surgeons removed a portion of his right lung at Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Tuesday. Medical professionals previously noted that the operation was successful and that the recovery process is proceeding as expected.

The pope, who had announced his need for the surgery on Sunday to remove a lung nodule, is now awaiting biopsy results to determine if the malignancy has spread. Despite the health challenge, a Vatican source indicated that the pope was able to celebrate mass on Wednesday from a specially prepared room on the hospital’s 10th floor.

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Medical staff report that the pontiff has begun walking within his hospital room and is eating normally. While the Vatican initially estimated a one-week recovery period, all papal audiences have been cancelled through October 20.

International leaders have begun offering well-wishes, including US President Donald Trump. Speaking after a campaign rally in Arizona on Wednesday, Trump acknowledged the severity of a cancer diagnosis while expressing optimism about the prognosis, stating, it is big stuff anytime you have cancer, but the prognosis seems to be good. I just want to wish him well. Get better fast.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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