Pope Leo Xiv's Lung Cancer Sparks Concerns for Nonsmokers

WHO:

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - Pope Leo XIV is the first American pope.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - Pope Leo XIV is 71 years old.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - Archbishop Paolo Rudelli is the undersecretary of state who met with Pope Leo XIV.

Fox News - An oncologist stated that Pope Leo XIV has a roughly 90% chance of cure if the lung cancer is stage 1.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni stated that Pope Leo XIV presided alone over the liturgy and distributed Communion to medical personnel and Vatican gendarmes present.

Fox News - Pope Leo XIV is the individual diagnosed with lung cancer.

PBS - The type of lung cancer diagnosed is adenocarcinoma.

WHAT:

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - The Vatican released new photos of Pope Leo XIV celebrating Mass at Gemelli Hospital, showing him standing at an altar in green vestments.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - In his homily, Pope Leo XIV thanked the medical personnel for their service and their closeness to those who are fragile, and for the way they have taken care of him.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - The Vatican published the names of journalists accredited to fly on the pope's plane during his Nov. 6-17 trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, indicating that the trip is organizationally proceeding.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - The Vatican released photos of get-well notes sent to Pope Leo XIV from patients at Gemelli's pediatric oncology ward, including messages from a 7-year-old and a university student expressing their support and prayers.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - One get-well note from a 7-year-old named Angelo stated, "My mother and I pray for you every night. Get well soon."

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - A university student named Giorgia wrote, "When I heard on the news about you and your situation, I felt it a thousand times harder, because in some ways we're going through the same thing, and it made me feel closer to you."

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - Pope Leo XIV will be discharged from Gemelli Hospital on Saturday, four days after undergoing lung cancer surgery.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CNN - The pontiff underwent surgery to remove a nodule determined to be pulmonary adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CNN - Doctors confirmed that Pope Leo XIV is deemed fit for discharge following blood tests and a chest X-ray.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - Pope Leo XIV resumed "a little bit of work activity," including reading documents and co-celebrating Mass.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - The Vatican reported that Pope Leo XIV will remain at Gemelli Hospital until Oct. 20.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - The Vatican released new photos of Pope Leo XIV celebrating Mass at Gemelli Hospital, showing him standing at an altar in green vestments.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - Pope Leo XIV resumed "a little bit of work activity," including reading documents and co-celebrating Mass.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - The Vatican announced that Pope Leo XIV will remain at Gemelli Hospital until Oct. 20.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - The Vatican stated that Pope Leo XIV will make his first public appearance on Sunday to deliver the traditional noontime prayer.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - Doctors confirmed that tests showed "steady improvement" in Pope Leo XIV's recovery.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - The Vatican reported that Pope Leo XIV is completely autonomous now in movement and breathing.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - Post-operative test results to confirm whether the pope is completely cancer-free have not been released yet.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - The Vatican released new photos of Pope Leo XIV celebrating Mass at Gemelli Hospital, marking the first images since his lung cancer surgery.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - In his homily, Pope Leo XIV thanked the medical personnel for their service and their closeness to those who are fragile.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - The Vatican confirmed that Pope Leo XIV had a piece of his right lung removed during surgery.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - Pope Leo XIV is expected to travel to South America from Nov. 6-17, with plans for a trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - The Vatican stated that Pope Leo XIV will make his first public appearance on Sunday to deliver the traditional noontime prayer.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - Doctors confirmed that Pope Leo XIV's post-operative recovery allows him to carry out his normal daily activities completely on his own, according to a medical update signed by Dr. Luigi Carbone and Dr. Stefano Margaritora.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass at a makeshift chapel in Gemelli Hospital, thanking medical personnel for their service and closeness to those who are fragile.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - The Vatican announced that Pope Leo XIV will remain at Gemelli Hospital until Oct. 20.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - The Vatican stated that Pope Leo XIV will make his first public appearance on Sunday to deliver the traditional noontime prayer.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - Past popes who have been hospitalized have recited the Angelus from the balcony on the 10th floor of Gemelli Hospital.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - The Vatican released new photos of Pope Leo XIV celebrating Mass at Gemelli Hospital, marking the first images since his lung cancer surgery.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - Pope Leo XIV resumed "a little bit of work activity," including reading documents and co-celebrating Mass.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass at a makeshift chapel in Gemelli Hospital, thanking medical personnel for their service during his recovery.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - The Vatican announced that Pope Leo XIV will remain at Gemelli Hospital until Oct. 20.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - Pope Leo XIV is expected to travel to South America from Nov. 6-17, with plans for a trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru.

CNN - Pope Leo XIV will recite the traditional Angelus prayers on Sunday as he continues his recovery from lung surgery.

CNN - This appearance will be Leo’s first in public since having part of his lung removed earlier this week after a cancerous growth was discovered.

CNN - The Vatican reported that Pope Leo underwent blood tests and a chest X-ray on Friday morning, confirming a “steady improvement” in his condition.

CNN - Doctors stated that the pontiff is continuing his respiratory physiotherapy sessions and that his recovery allows him to carry out normal daily activities independently.

CNN - The Vatican added that the 71-year-old is completely autonomous now in movement and breathing.

CNN - Post-operative test results to confirm whether the pope is completely cancer-free have not been released yet.

Fox News - An oncologist states that Pope Leo XIV has a roughly 90% chance of cure if the lung cancer is stage 1.

Fox News - Pathology results will determine the next steps in treatment.

WHEN:

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - Pope Leo XIV is expected to travel to South America from Nov. 6-17, with plans for a trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CNN - Pope Leo XIV is expected to leave the hospital on Saturday afternoon.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - Pope Leo XIV is expected to travel to South America from Nov. 6-17.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - Pope Leo XIV is expected to travel to South America from Nov. 6-17, with plans for a trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru.

WHY:

[10:05 AM EDT] - CNN - The discharge is based on the assessment of his clinical status following recent medical tests.

[10:05 AM EDT] - CBS News - The Vatican's publication of the media list signals that the trip is organizationally proceeding despite concerns about the pope's health.

PBS - The diagnosis of lung cancer in Pope Leo XIV raises concerns about cancer risk for nonsmokers.

HOW:

[10:05 AM EDT] - CNN - The assessment for discharge was made by Dr. Luigi Carbone and Prof. Stefano Margaritora.

Fox News - The oncologist's assessment is based on the stage of the cancer, specifically noting the importance of pathology results for determining treatment options.

(UPDATED October 17, 2026 11:55 UTC)

The Vatican has released new photos of Pope Leo XIV celebrating Mass at Gemelli Hospital, where he expressed gratitude to medical personnel for their care and support during his recovery. In a heartwarming gesture, the Vatican also shared get-well notes from patients at the hospital, including a touching message from a 7-year-old named Angelo, who wrote, "My mother and I pray for you every night. Get well soon." Looking ahead, Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to travel to South America from November 6 to 17, with plans to visit Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru.

(UPDATED October 17, 2026 10:55 UTC)

In a historic moment for the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV has become the first American pope. After undergoing surgery to remove a nodule found to be pulmonary adenocarcinoma, the pontiff is expected to be discharged from Gemelli Hospital on Saturday afternoon, following a favorable assessment from his medical team. Doctors confirmed that he is fit for discharge based on recent blood tests and a chest X-ray.

(UPDATED October 17, 2026 02:05 UTC)

Pope Leo XIV, who is 71 years old, has resumed some work activities, including reading documents and co-celebrating Mass, following a successful post-operative recovery. The Vatican has published the names of journalists accredited to travel with the pope during his upcoming trip to South America from November 6 to 17, indicating that the trip is moving forward despite previous health concerns. Archbishop Paolo Rudelli, the undersecretary of state, recently met with the pope to discuss these developments.

(UPDATED October 17, 2026 01:17 UTC)

Pope Leo XIV has a roughly 90% chance of cure if his lung cancer is diagnosed at stage 1, according to an oncologist. The Vatican has confirmed that the pope will remain at Gemelli Hospital until October 20, while also publishing the names of journalists accredited to fly on his plane during his upcoming trip to South America from November 6 to 17. This trip will include visits to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, indicating that the plans are moving forward.

(UPDATED October 16, 2026 23:56 UTC)

The Vatican has released new photos of Pope Leo XIV celebrating Mass at Gemelli Hospital, where he is now standing at an altar in green vestments and has resumed some work activities, including reading documents. Doctors have confirmed that the pope is showing steady improvement in his recovery and is now completely autonomous in movement and breathing, with his first public appearance scheduled for Sunday to deliver the traditional noontime prayer. Additionally, the Vatican has published the names of journalists accredited to fly on the pope's plane for his upcoming trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 6 to 17, indicating that preparations for the journey are moving forward.

(UPDATED October 16, 2026 19:57 UTC)

The Vatican has released new photos of Pope Leo XIV celebrating Mass at Gemelli Hospital, marking the first images since his lung cancer surgery, during which a piece of his right lung was removed. In his homily, the Pope expressed gratitude to the medical personnel for their care and support for those in fragile conditions, and he is expected to make his first public appearance on Sunday to deliver the traditional noontime prayer. Additionally, the Vatican has confirmed that the Pope's upcoming trip to South America, scheduled for November 6 to 17, is proceeding as planned, with the names of accredited journalists for the journey now published.

(UPDATED October 16, 2026 17:02 UTC)

Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass at a makeshift chapel in Gemelli Hospital, expressing gratitude to the medical staff for their dedication to caring for the vulnerable. The Vatican has announced that he will remain in the hospital until October 20 and will make his first public appearance on Sunday to deliver the traditional noontime prayer. Additionally, the Vatican published the names of journalists accredited to accompany the pope on his upcoming trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 6 to 17, indicating that preparations for the journey are well underway.

(UPDATED October 16, 2026 15:58 UTC)

The Vatican has released new photos of Pope Leo XIV celebrating Mass at Gemelli Hospital, marking the first images since his lung cancer surgery. In addition to his recovery, the Pope has resumed a little bit of work activity, including reading documents and co-celebrating Mass. The Vatican also published the names of journalists accredited to fly on the pope's plane during his upcoming trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 6 to 17, indicating that the trip is moving forward as planned.

(UPDATED October 16, 2026 15:00 UTC)

Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass at a makeshift chapel in Gemelli Hospital, where he presided alone over the liturgy and distributed Communion to medical personnel and Vatican gendarmes present, thanking them for their service during his recovery. The Vatican announced that he will remain at Gemelli Hospital until October 20, and doctors confirmed that his post-operative recovery allows him to carry out his normal daily activities independently. Looking ahead, Pope Leo XIV is expected to travel to South America from November 6 to 17, with plans to visit Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru.

(UPDATED October 16, 2026 13:07 UTC)

Pope Leo XIV is set to recite the traditional Angelus prayers on Sunday, marking his first public appearance since undergoing lung surgery earlier this week to remove a cancerous growth. The Vatican has reported that the 71-year-old pontiff is showing a "steady improvement" in his condition, allowing him to carry out normal daily activities independently, and he is now completely autonomous in movement and breathing. However, post-operative test results confirming whether he is completely cancer-free have not yet been released.

(UPDATED October 16, 2026 11:58 UTC)

Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, a type of lung cancer, and an oncologist reports that he has a roughly 90% chance of cure if the cancer is caught at stage 1. The next steps in treatment will depend on the pathology results, which are crucial for assessing the stage of the cancer. This diagnosis has raised concerns about cancer risk for nonsmokers, highlighting the importance of awareness and early detection.