What we know about Pope Leo XIV's lung cancer operation

Pope Leo XIV had a cancerous tumor surgically removed from his right lung on Tuesday in a 90-minute operation described as "successful" by the Vatican.

Pope Leo XIV looks on after delivering a speech during the meeting “Building networks with the world of Culture, Art, Economy and Sports” at the Movistar Arena in Madrid on June 7, 2026. Photo by STEFANO RELLANDINI / AFP

Here are what several medical experts told AFP about the surgery and diagnosis.

Pulmonary adenocarcinoma, the type of tumor removed from the Pope, generally comes from "a primary cancer," said Dr. Juanita Mora, a medical spokesperson for the American Lung Association.

She told AFP that "is a good thing" because it means the tumor is from lung cancer instead of generating from the spread of another cancer.

There are two main types of lung cancer: "small cell" cancers, which spread aggressively and make up about 10 to 15% of diagnoses, and "non-small cell" cancers, which make up the vast majority.

Source: Citizen Digital