Vatican Confirms Pope Leo XIV Diagnosed With Lung Cancer
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer following surgery to remove a mass from his right lung. The Vatican confirmed the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma and stated the Pope will remain hospitalized for approximately one week, canceling all public events until October 20. The 71-year-old pontiff had announced the discovery of the "limited mass" last Sunday, describing it as early-stage and localized. Leo XIV, the 266th Pope, was installed in May 2025 and is considered more moderate in his views on Israel than his predecessor.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Pope Leo XIV diagnosed with lung cancer after surgery to remove a mass.
- The 71-year-old pontiff will remain hospitalized for about a week.
- All public events scheduled until October 20 have been canceled.
- The diagnosis is adenocarcinoma, confirmed during a 90-minute surgery.
- The Pope had announced the discovery of the mass last Sunday.
- Leo XIV succeeded Pope Francis in May 2025.
The Vatican announced early Wednesday that Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer, just hours after undergoing surgery. The Catholic Church stated that the 71-year-old pontiff is expected to remain hospitalized for about a week, and all public events scheduled until October 20 have been canceled. According to the Vatican, Leo XIV was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the lung, a diagnosis confirmed by tissue tests performed during the surgery. The operation, which lasted approximately 90 minutes, involved the removal of the lower lobe of his right lung using minimally invasive, video-guided techniques. Professor Stefano Margiotta, head of thoracic surgery at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, reported that the procedure was successful. "A rapid histological examination during surgery confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, as we suspected from the tests conducted before the surgery," Margiotta explained.
The Pope had announced his upcoming medical procedure last Sunday, informing believers gathered in St. Peter's Square that doctors had discovered a "limited mass" in his lung. He described the mass as being in an "early and localized stage" and sought to reassure the global Christian community, stating that he would undergo surgery for its removal on the advice of his doctors. Leo XIV was installed as the 266th Pope in May 2025, succeeding Pope Francis. Since taking office, the American Pope has been considered relatively moderate in his stances toward Israel, in contrast to his predecessor, who repeatedly condemned Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip.
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