Pope Leo Diagnosed with Lung Cancer: What Do We Know?

Posted in Lombardi Stories  |  Tagged lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer

Editor’s note: This story was published Oct. 13, 2026, at 5:45 p.m. ET, and reflects information available at that time. As this is a developing story, additional details may emerge.

(October 13, 2026) — The Vatican announced that Pope Leo XIV, 71, has been diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the lung, a type of non-small cell lung cancer, following surgery Oct. 13 to remove a lung nodule.

Medical oncologist Stephen Liu, MD, a lung cancer expert at Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center and division chief of hematology/oncology at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, says this type of cancer is the most common type of lung cancer that carries “the most favorable prognosis.”

Liu, who is not involved in the Pope’s care, said based on details released by the Vatican, it appears the Pope had minimally invasive surgery to remove his right lower lung, known as a lobectomy.

“The right lung has three lobes, and one has been completely removed,” Liu says. “There are some cases where less lung can be removed, a segmentectomy or removal of part of the lobe, for example, but the ability to do a lesser surgery depends on the location and extent of the cancer.”

Liu cautions that although the cancer has been diagnosed, its stage has not yet been determined.

“This is critical to prognosis and treatment,” Liu says. “If this is a small lung cancer with no lymph nodes involved, surgery itself is likely to be curative. But if final analysis reveals a greater extent of cancer involvement, this indicates a poorer prognosis and warrants further therapy to reduce the risk of recurrence.”

In addition, his oncology team will look at the size of the primary lung tumor, whether other areas of the lung were found to have cancer, and whether any lymph nodes were involved, and if so, where those lymph nodes are.

Molecular testing of the tumor would likely occur to help determine the most effective course of treatment.

“This is DNA- and RNA-based testing to search for specific vulnerabilities within the cancer,” he says. “This can help guide prognosis, surveillance and treatment. These types of DNA changes are more common in those with a lung cancer that is not related to smoking.”

Pope Leo, who is not known to smoke, is reportedly in good health. Liu says about 20% of lung cancer occurs in patients with no history of smoking.

If the cancer is more advanced than initially suspected, treatment could include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and/or immunotherapy, depending on specific stage and the molecular characteristics.

“For now, completion of the surgery without complication and being able to return to the room is a very good sign, and we would expect steady and rapid recovery while we wait for the pathology results, which should take a few days.”