Pope Leo XIV is recovering in a Rome hospital following a surgery Tuesday, Oct. 13, that found the pontiff has lung cancer.
Leo received the diagnosis after adenocarcinoma — the most common type of lung cancer among nonsmokers, was discovered during surgery to remove a lung nodule at Agostino Gemelli University Hospital in Rome on Tuesday, Oct. 13, the Vatican announced in an Oct. 13 news release. The diagnosis confirmed suspicions from testing done prior to the operation.
Leo's public events have been canceled through Oct. 20 as he remains in the hospital recovering. His next trip, an 11-day tour of Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, is expected to begin Nov. 6.
USA TODAY reached out to the Vatican for further comment.
Here's what to know about Pope
Leo's health.
What was Pope Leo's diagnosis?
Pope Leo was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, the most common type of non-small-cell lung cancer, following surgery to remove a small lung nodule Tuesday, Oct. 13 at Agostino Gemelli University Hospital in Rome, according to the Vatican.
The surgeons removed the lower lobe of the Pope’s right lung. “To ensure a radical resection, the lower lobe of the right lung was removed using a video-assisted technique,” the statement said.
The Pope was in the operating room for approximately three hours, while the operation itself lasted about 90 minutes.
The Vatican announced that afternoon that the surgery was "completed successfully" and without complication, and that the pope "woke up normally and, after a brief period of observation, returned to his room on the tenth floor."
Did Pope Leo smoke?
No, Pope Leo is not known to be a smoker. Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer in nonsmokers, according to Harvard Medical School.
What is next for Pope Leo's recovery?
Pope Leo remains in hospital and the Vatican had previously said the pope was expected to spend a week in the hospital recovering.
Prognosis is based on the cancer's stage, the ability to identify specific mutations of the cancer cells for targeted therapy, and the patient's overall health, according to Harvard. The bulletin did not state what stage Pope Leo's cancer was in or if it was localized.
All of Leo's public events have been canceled through Oct. 20. He is scheduled for an 11-day tour of Uruguay, Argentina and Peru starting Nov. 6.
What is adenocarcinoma? Is it fatal?
Adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that starts in the glands that line your organs, the Cleveland Clinic said. These glands secrete mucus and digestive juices. If your glandular epithelial cells begin to change or grow out of control, tumors can form.
Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of cancer involving your organs.
There is not a specific cause of the cancer, but smoking and vaping, family history, alcohol, toxin exposure, body mass index and previous radiation therapy may play a role in its onset.
The disease may be treated with surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation.
The five-year survival rate for adenocarcinoma in the lungs is 56%, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Can a pope retire?
Yes, although rare, popes can resign from the papacy and there are up to 10 such cases throughout the Catholic Church's history, according to National Catholic Reporter. Pope Leo has not announced plans to retire amid his health issues.
Who is Pope Leo?
The Bishop of Romewas born on Sept. 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, to Louis Marius Prevost, of French and Italian descent, and Mildred Martínez, of Spanish descent. He has two brothers, Louis Martín and John Joseph.
Now known as Pope Leo XIV, he is the head of the Roman Catholic Church, serving since May 2025. A Catholic priest and member of the Augustinian Order, a Catholic religious order, Leo had done extensive missionary work in Peru and is the first U.S.-born Pope, per the Vatican.
USA TODAY contributed.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Did Pope Leo smoke? Pontiff diagnosed with lung cancer
