Key facts
- Pope Leo XIV, 71, was diagnosed with lung cancer and had part of his right lung removed on Tuesday.
- The Vatican announced the diagnosis and surgery on Tuesday.
- The pope had previously announced a "localized nodule" was found in his lung on Sunday.
- Pope Leo XIV's planned 11-day trip to South America from November 6 to 17 is in question.
- The five-year relative survival rate for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer confined to the lung is 67%, according to the American Cancer Society.
Pope Leo XIV, the first US-born pontiff, has been diagnosed with lung cancer, casting uncertainty over the future of his papacy. The Vatican announced Tuesday that surgeons had removed part of his right lung after the diagnosis.
Leo, who is 71, had been seen as a dynamic leader, contrasting with his predecessor Francis, who died at 88 and had become increasingly frail. The new pope has also become an influential voice on global issues, raising concerns about artificial intelligence and drawing criticism from US President Donald Trump for his stance on the Iran war.
Medical experts suggest the pope's prognosis depends on factors like whether the cancer has spread to his lymph nodes, which is currently unknown. "It's too early to say how this will affect Pope Leo's agenda and his ability to carry on the duties of the papacy," said Vatican expert John Thavis. He added that if recovery is complete and no aggressive therapy is needed, the pope might continue as usual.
A planned 11-day trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 6 to 17 is now in question. The trip was considered a high priority for Leo, who spent decades as a missionary and bishop in Peru. Dr. Stephen Liu, a lung cancer expert, noted that the trip might need to be postponed depending on Leo's recovery, calling the timeline "tight" even for early-stage cancer.
The Vatican's transparency regarding Leo's health is a departure from its historical reticence. The pope himself announced on Sunday that a "localized nodule" had been found in his lung, detected early and well-contained. A medical bulletin was released hours after his surgery, with further details expected in the coming days. According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer confined to the lung is 67%. Dr. Giuseppe Cardillo, a thoracic surgeon, stated that early-stage lung cancer removal typically results in an "excellent" prognosis.