In brief
Archbishop Paul Gallagher confirmed Pope Leo IV underwent surgery for a lung nodule that turned out to be cancer, returning to Rome for treatment. The 71‑year‑old’s recovery is progressing, but the diagnosis raises questions about his remaining duties and any potential succession plans. Vatican officials say the Pope was healthy before the procedure, and the hospital treatment has been successful. Meanwhile, the Church’s senior diplomats and clergy are reassessing protocols for future leadership and the timing of the Pope’s next visits.
Pope Leo IV’s health should not be taken "for granted", senior Vatican diplomat Archbishop Paul Gallagher told the BBC after the Pope’s lung surgery.
The 71‑year‑old Pope had a lower lobe of his right lung removed at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital after a suspicious nodule, which doctors subsequently identified as adenocarcinoma.
Gallagher said the news "is a bit of a game changer" and that the Pope had been assumed healthy by many, a perception that must now be revised.
According to Vatican communications, the surgical operation was successful and the Pope is showing steady improvement in the hospital. He is expected to lead Sunday prayers once recovered, though no discharge date has yet been announced.
The Pope had stated the nodule had been found during routine checks, and he publicly announced the surgery during his weekly Sunday service in St. Peter’s Square.
Gallagher noted that the Vatican is reviewing protocols for future leadership, anticipating potential visits to the UK and discussions about the Pope’s plans for 2027.
First images of the Pope post‑surgery show him celebrating Mass in the hospital and a return to visible duties. The Church’s senior officials remain on standby for further developments as the Pope continues to recover.
