Part of Pope's Cancerous Lung Removed

Doctors announced on Wednesday that Pope Leo, leader of the world's Catholic Christians, who is 71 years old and was elected to the post only in May 2025, has been diagnosed with lung cancer and part of one of his lungs has been removed.

Pope Leo, the 71-year-old leader of the world's Catholic Christians who was only elected in May 2025, has been diagnosed with lung cancer and part of one of his lungs has been removed, doctors announced Wednesday.

According to Ambassador Arjan, the diagnosis of cancer in the case of Pope Leo, who was known as a relatively young and energetic person, caused shock and astonishment.

On Tuesday, after doctors surgically removed the lower lobe of his right lung, he was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma — the most common type of lung cancer.

The Vatican announced that Leo spent a peaceful night in hospital and further information about his condition will be released.

This religious leader was admitted to Rome's Jamli Hospital after doctors discovered a mass during a recent routine medical examination.

Stefano Margaritura, the chief surgeon, and Luigi Carbone, the Pope's personal physician, announced that the operation lasted about 90 minutes and ended without any complications.

The doctors announced in a joint statement that the entire lower lobe (section) of the right lung was removed to completely remove the cancerous tissue. Human lungs have five lobes; Three lobes in the right lung and two lobes in the left lung.

The Vatican did not release information on the size of the tumor or the spread of the disease to nearby lymph nodes — key factors in determining the prognosis.

Leo is relatively young for a church leader. He enjoys sports, including tennis, and has no reported history of smoking or recent physical problems.