Pope Leo XIV underwent scheduled blood tests and a chest X-ray on Wednesday after surgery to remove a small lung nodule. His recovery is progressing as expected, the Vatican said.
The update followed a statement from the Holy See Press Office that the pope had spent a calm night at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.
The 71-year-old pontiff underwent thoracic surgery Tuesday to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. Doctors confirmed that the nodule was lung adenocarcinoma, a form of lung cancer, according to the Holy See Press Office.
“This morning, the Holy Father underwent the blood tests and chest X-ray scheduled after surgery. The results confirm that his postoperative recovery is progressing normally: the values are within the expected range for the type of operation performed,” the office said, attributing the assessment to Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora.
Pope Leo XIV arrives at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, ahead of surgery to remove a lung nodule. (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)
The pope has also completed respiratory physiotherapy and begun walking around his room, the doctors said. He has returned to a normal diet, eating breakfast and lunch. “His recovery is proceeding as expected,” they added.
The diagnosis was confirmed through a tissue examination performed during the operation, and it matched the results of the pope’s preoperative tests, the Vatican said.
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An image of Pope Leo XIV rests at the base of a statue of the late Pope John Paul II outside the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, where Leo is hospitalized for surgery to remove a lung nodule. (Gregorio Borgia/AP)
The pope was in the operating room for about three hours, while the procedure itself lasted approximately 90 minutes.
Doctors reported that the operation was successful and proceeded without complications.
“Doctors found a small lump in the lung,” Leo said after delivering the Angelus address at St. Peter’s Square on Monday. He described it as having been found “at a very early stage and well situated.”
Pope Leo XIV is welcomed by Health Director Andrea Cambieri as he arrives at Gemelli University Hospital in Rome on Oct. 13, 2026, for surgery to remove a lung lump. (Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP via Getty Images)
“The doctors consider it appropriate to intervene and so, following their advice, I decided to have surgery to remove it,” he said. “The surgery is already scheduled for the next few days. I thank you for your spiritual closeness and I rely on your prayer.”
