By TheDailyNewsHub Reporter
Pope Leo XIV has begun walking around his hospital room and resumed eating after undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his right lung, with the Vatican reporting that his recovery was progressing normally on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
The 71-year-old pontiff underwent the operation on Tuesday at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli University Hospital, where surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung after tests identified a malignant growth.
A medical bulletin issued by the Vatican said blood tests and a chest X-ray conducted after the procedure showed results within the expected range for the operation. Leo has also started respiratory physiotherapy as part of his recovery.
The operation lasted approximately 90 minutes, although the Pope spent about three hours in the operating room. Vatican officials said the procedure was successful and that no complications had been reported.
Doctors Luigi Carbone, the Pope’s personal physician, and Stefano Margaritora, the thoracic surgeon involved in the operation, confirmed that an examination of tissue during surgery established the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer.
Although the initial recovery has been encouraging, important medical questions remain unanswered. Further examination of the removed tissue is expected to help doctors determine whether the cancer has spread and whether additional treatment will be required.
The Vatican had previously indicated that the lung nodule appeared localised and had been detected early. However, the full extent of the disease cannot be established until the outstanding test results become available.
Leo’s condition has drawn international attention because of his position as head of the Roman Catholic Church, which has more than a billion adherents worldwide. His hospitalisation has also prompted questions about his schedule and the extent to which his recovery could affect upcoming public engagements.
The Vatican has cancelled the Pope’s audiences and public appointments through October 20. Officials have indicated that his hospital stay is expected to last about a week from admission, although his recovery will continue to determine when he can resume normal activities.
His planned visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17 has also attracted attention. As of Wednesday, the Vatican had not announced a change to the itinerary, but the recovery period has raised questions about whether the extensive journey will proceed as scheduled.
The Pope announced on Sunday that he would undergo surgery after doctors identified a nodule in his lung. The subsequent operation confirmed that the growth was cancerous, turning what had initially been presented as a planned medical procedure into a significant health development for the Church.
Leo, elected in May 2025 as the first American-born pope, has continued to receive messages of support from religious communities and political leaders following news of his diagnosis.
For now, the latest medical update offers signs of progress but does not settle questions about the cancer’s stage or the possibility of further treatment. Doctors are expected to rely on the additional examination results before determining the next steps in his care.