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Dr. Axe Wire · Breaking · health
Pope Leo XIV Diagnosed With Lung Adenocarcinoma After Lobe Removal
The Vatican confirmed a common lung cancer subtype, found incidentally during another exam, and surgeons removed the affected lobe.
Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer, ABC News published October 14, 2026, reporting that doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung.
ABC News reported, published October 14, 2026, that Pope Leo XIV had the lower lobe of his right lung surgically removed after being diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, a subtype of non-small cell lung cancer. The nodule was an incidental finding, spotted during another exam rather than because of symptoms. The right lung has three lobes and the left has two; after one lobe is removed, the remaining lung tissue can gradually compensate, particularly in people who are otherwise healthy and physically active. ABC News noted the pope plays tennis and swims weekly.
Adenocarcinomas tend to form on the outer layers of the lung and grow more slowly than some other lung cancer subtypes, which according to the Lung Cancer Foundation of America can allow earlier detection. ABC News reported that surgery is the primary treatment when lung cancer is caught early enough, with chemotherapy, radiation or immunotherapy added only if doctors are concerned about residual or spreading disease. Warning signs such as an ongoing cough, chest discomfort, voice changes, breathlessness or repeated lung infections typically do not show up until the disease is advanced, which is why incidental findings on imaging done for other reasons matter.
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The right lung has three lobes; Pope Leo XIV had the lower lobe removed after his lung adenocarcinoma diagnosis
ABC News did not report whether the pope will need chemotherapy, radiation or immunotherapy, his smoking history, or any other specific risk factors. The report does not specify whether the cancer had spread beyond the removed lobe.
Dr. Axe’s Take
I'm glad this was caught through an incidental finding rather than after symptoms showed up, because by the time lung cancer causes an ongoing cough or breathlessness, it has often already advanced. This is exactly the case for yearly low-dose CT screening in anyone with a heavy smoking history or other major risk factors like radon or asbestos exposure. For recovery after a lobe removal, I'd focus on whole-food anti-inflammatory nutrition, breathing exercises to help the remaining lung tissue compensate, and graded physical activity like walking and swimming as tolerated, alongside whatever oncology team he has guiding further treatment decisions.
— Dr. AxeStory summary
- Who
- Pope Leo XIV
- Design
- Vatican-announced diagnosis and surgical treatment, reported by ABC News
- Primary result
- Lower lobe of right lung surgically removed after lung adenocarcinoma diagnosis
- Secondary
- Nodule found incidentally during another exam; right lung has three lobes, left has two
- Date
- Oct 14, 2026