Health · Healthcare & Policy · 7 hrs ago
Vatican official says Leo XIV’s cancer diagnosis may change his papacy
Pope Leo XIV is recovering after surgery for lung cancer, but a senior Vatican official said the diagnosis could affect his papacy.
Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher said Leo’s illness may change how people see him and how he sees himself.
Leo, 71, had part of his right lung removed on Oct.
13 after doctors found a tumor.
Tests found no need for further treatment, and he is gradually returning to daily activities.
The Vatican says he will make his planned trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from Nov.
6 to 17, despite its demanding schedule.
Leo spent two decades as a missionary priest in Peru, and Gallagher said the pope wants to go and has positive medical advice.
The diagnosis has challenged the image of Leo as almost superhuman, Gallagher said, reminding people that the pope is vulnerable to illness.
Gallagher also expects Leo to visit the United States in the future, but no firm plans have been made.
Pope Leo XIV’s lung cancer diagnosis may alter how the Vatican and the pope view his papacy, a senior Vatican official said.
Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher called the diagnosis “a bit of a game-changer,” despite saying the pope was recovering well.
Leo, 71, had surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung on Oct. 13 after doctors found a tumor.
Subsequent tests indicated that no further treatment was necessary, and Leo has been slowly resuming his daily activities.
The Vatican confirmed Leo would make a planned Nov. 6-17 trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru without changes to the program.
- Who
- Pope Leo XIV and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See’s foreign minister.
- What
- Gallagher said Leo’s cancer diagnosis could change how the pope and others see his papacy. Leo is recovering after lung cancer surgery.
- When
- Gallagher spoke on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. Leo had surgery on Oct. 13.
- Where
- Gallagher spoke at the Italian foreign press association in Rome.
- Why
- Gallagher said the diagnosis showed Leo was mortal, despite a perception that he was a “Superman, a Superpope.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Leo had the lower lobe of his right lung removed after doctors found a tumor.
Gallagher told reporters in Rome that Leo’s diagnosis could change how the pope and others see his papacy.
Leo is scheduled to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.
- Surgery
- Lower lobe of Leo’s right lung removed on Oct. 13
- Diagnosis
- Adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer
- Age
- 71
- Planned trip
- Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, Nov. 6-17
- Distance
- 31,000 kilometers (19,000 miles) across a dozen flights and two helicopter rides
1 source
What people are saying
I think it is a bit of a game-changer at the same time
The fact that he has fallen ill with, in many ways, one of the most common illnesses of our age means that he is a poor mortal like the rest of us.
All of the medical advice is very positive, from a clinical point of view, so he feels he can go.