Pope Leo, 71, Has a New Workplace After Lung Surgery
The American pontiff resumed his daily activities after having the lower lobe of his right lung removed.
ANDREAS SOLARO/Andreas Solaro, Getty Images
Pope Leo XIV, 71, is working from the hospital after undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous nodule from his lung.
“The chest X-ray revealed good recovery of the operated lung,” Dr. Luigi Carboni, Leo’s personal doctor, and Professor Stefano Margaritora, the head of thoracic surgery at Gemelli Hospital, reported. “Overall, his postoperative recovery is proceeding as expected.”
A view of Gemelli Hospital, where Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to be admitted for surgery on October 13, 2026.
Antonio Masiello/Antonio Masiello, Getty Images
Leo’s postoperative tests remained normal, and he completed full mobility exercises during a physiotherapy session on Thursday.
The pope also continued his daily activities independently, working from the hospital.
The hospital set up a special chapel for him on the 10th floor, near his room. For a second day, Leo celebrated Mass with other priests.
A night view of the tenth floor of Gemelli Hospital in Rome, Italy, where Pope Leo XIV is staying following his lung surgery, on October 14, 2026.
Franco Origlia/Franco Origlia, Getty Images
Leo was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer, on Tuesday after having the lower lobe of his right lung removed.
Get the best of The Beast delivered right to your inbox
By clicking “SUBSCRIBE” you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Doctors are awaiting test results to determine the cancer’s exact makeup, whether it has spread beyond the affected lobe, and if further treatment is needed.
His recovery from surgery is expected to take a week, putting him at a full recovery by October 20.
Leo announced the planned procedure during his Sunday noon prayer in St. Peter’s Square.
“The doctors believe it is best to intervene, so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to have it removed,” he told the crowd.
Pope Leo XIV arrives at the Gemelli University Hospital for an operation to remove a lump from his lung.
ALBERTO PIZZOLI/Alberto Pizzoli Getty Images
The pope has no known history of health problems and is not known to smoke, though it is unclear whether he smoked in his youth.
Leo has a scheduled trip to Peru, Uruguay, and Argentina from November 6-17, which he still plans to make.
“Thank you for your prayers for the pastoral visit I will make to Peru,” he said Sunday in Spanish.
See more of our coverage in your search results.
Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.
Register below to read this article for free or subscribe
to unlock unlimited access to The Daily Beast.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Sign In
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.
Sign in or create an account
Login dialog
Loading comments…