Pope Leo XIV's Cancer Found by Chance

Pope Leo XIV's lung cancer was discovered incidentally when doctors examining him for another issue identified a tumor on his right lung. Dr. Stefano Margaritora, who performed the surgery, revealed that the discovery was entirely by chance, as the pope experienced no respiratory symptoms. The tumor, a lung adenocarcinoma, was located at the base of the right lung.

Following the routine and complication-free surgery to remove the nodule, the 71-year-old pontiff was discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital just four days later. He was described as an ideal patient, even arranging chairs in the hospital chapel.

The pope publicly announced his diagnosis after his Sunday noon blessing, receiving well wishes from a large crowd. He has since resumed some work activities, including a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and is scheduled for international travel in November to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru.