Marco Rubio sends words of strength to Pope Leo XIV after lung cancer diagnosis

The head of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo, was diagnosed with lung cancer (Lung Adenocarcinoma). According to a published report, surgery was performed on Tuesday at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, during which a lower lobe lesion from the right side of the lung was removed, lasting about 90 minutes.

In a medical bulletin released by the Vatican, it was confirmed that he developed pulmonary adenocarcinoma, which is a common type of lung cancer. The medical team suspected this illness even before the operation, and the diagnosis was finally confirmed through the analysis of tissue samples taken during the surgical intervention.

After the procedure, the Vatican announced that the operation was successful and showed no complications. The Pope regained consciousness and is currently hospitalized, although more detailed information about his health condition has not been disclosed.

Pope Leo arrived at the Gemelli Hospital from the Vatican on Tuesday around one p.m. local time. This hospital is located approximately nine kilometers from the Vatican. Before reaching the hospital, he was seen in a black SUV greeting people who wished him a speedy recovery.

According to Vatican information, Pope Leo may need to remain in the hospital for about a week. Due to his health condition, all planned public events until October 20 have been canceled.

Pope Leo became the head of the Catholic Church after elections held by cardinals worldwide in May 2025. He was born in 1955 in Chicago, USA, under the name Robert Priovost. Before becoming Pope, he served for many years as a missionary and bishop in Peru.

The 71-year-old Pope is interested in sports, especially tennis. Reports indicate that he is not known to be a smoker, and there have been no serious recent public concerns regarding his health. His predecessor, Pope Francis, underwent treatment in hospitals in his final years multiple times. Pope Francis passed away in April 2025 at the age of 88.

Pope Leo has previously faced serious illnesses. In 1985, while serving as a young priest in Chulcunas, Peru, he contracted typhoid fever. He had to be hospitalized then. In an interview published in a book, he spoke about severe pain during the illness and prayed to God for relief from suffering.

Pope Leo plans an 11-day trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 6th to 17th. However, further information about his upcoming plans and travels will depend on his current health status. There are about 1.4 billion followers of the Catholic Church worldwide. In the event of the Pope's illness, there is no direct successor to take over his duties, although the administrative work of the Vatican continues.

The Vatican Secretary of State noted Pope Leo XIV's calmness after he announced the need for surgery to remove a nodule in his lung, expressing confidence in a swift resolution to the situation.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, of Italian origin, told the media: 'We were all impressed by the composure with which the Pope announced this operation. We hope this issue will be resolved as soon as possible. We are confident, but naturally, we accompany him with our prayers.'

Parolin also reported that he met with Leo XIV on Tuesday afternoon and they spoke 'very calmly,' although he admitted to feeling worried himself.

The Vatican Secretary of State added that, thanks to God, the nodule was discovered in time, and such findings, when detected early, can usually be successfully removed.

The Pope publicly announced on Sunday after the Angelus prayer that he would undergo an operation to remove a nodule found at an early stage and well localized in his lung.

According to the Vatican press service, the discovery of the nodule occurred during a routine medical examination. The same sources reported that the Pope would be hospitalized today at the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome by noon.

Due to the hospitalization, Leo XIV canceled all his audiences until next Tuesday, October 20, as a recovery period of about a week is expected.

Pope Leo XIV unexpectedly announced to the faithful on Sunday during the Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican that he is scheduled for surgery to treat a small nodule in his lungs. In Portugal and other places, there was an immediate reaction with wishes for a full recovery.

Pope Leo XIV stated that a limited nodule was discovered in his lung during recent check-ups. He told those gathered in the Vatican: 'Recently, during some routine examinations, doctors found a limited nodule in my lung. I will be operated on in the coming days.'

The Supreme Pontiff specified that the lesion is in its early stages and is 'well localized.' He added that the doctors consider the operation necessary, and following their advice, he decided to undergo the procedure to remove the nodule, which is 'already scheduled for the coming days.' The Pope thanked the faithful for their spiritual closeness and asked them to pray for him.

A Vatican representative, Matteo Bruni, later confirmed that the operation is expected to take place in the first days of next week. In a brief statement, he also noted that the estimated hospital stay after the operation is about a week.

Reaction from Italian and Portuguese authorities

The first official reaction to the sudden announcement came from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. She expressed 'personal and governmental closeness to the ordeal' that Leo XIV 'must face in the coming days,' according to the official statement.

Meloni highly praised the public nature of the announcement made by the Pope from the window of the Apostolic Palace. She noted: 'The calmness and serenity with which he spoke about this [operation] during today's Angelus comfort us. I am sure that the Italian people will offer him all support and affection.'

In Portugal, the Conference of Bishops of Portugal (CEP) also reacted to the news, asking for prayers for Pope Leo XIV. The CEP expressed its spiritual closeness to the Holy Father and prayed to God to enlighten and accompany the medical team performing the intervention, as well as wishing the Pope a swift and complete recovery. It called on Christian communities in Portugal to pray with him, trusting in God's grace.

Cardinal Americo Aguiar also expressed solidarity with Leo XIV. In a message published on the Diocese of Setúbal's page, the Portuguese cardinal conveyed to Leo XIV 'very sincere words of friendship, tenderness, solidarity, and above all, deep unity and prayer.' The Bishop of Setúbal emphasized that the announcement of medical assistance was made by the Pope himself with 'exceptional transparency, simplicity, truth, and humanity.'

Bishop José Ornelas, speaking to SIC Notícias, reported receiving the news about the Pope with 'anxiety,' but also 'with hope,' and 'in harmony with him and the situation in which he lives.' He reminded that the Pope asked the Church to pray for him, and that he is always in their hearts and prayers. Ornelas added that they pray to God that this episode will only be a temporary stage in his life's journey, without any other consequences.

First health warning for Leo XIV

This is the first decline in Leo XIV's health after 16 months of a demanding schedule. Despite his duties, the Pope tries to maintain a balance between official business and personal life. According to AFP, he enjoys tennis and swimming and dedicates Tuesdays, his weekly day off, to sports, private meetings, and reading in Castel Gandolfo.

Robert Francis Prevozt, born in Chicago on September 14, 1955, took charge of the Catholic Church in May 2025 under the name Leo XIV. He succeeded Francis, the Argentine Jorge Bergoglio, who was Pope from 2013 until his death on April 21, 2025.