Pope Lawon Diagnosed With Lung Cancer After Right Lung Surgery in Rome, Italy

Pope Lawon, who is 71, was admitted to a hospital in Rome on Tuesday for surgery on his right lung, according to a report from almarkazia.com. The Vatican announced that the operation removed part of the lung and that Pope Lawon has been diagnosed with lung cancer. The report says the diagnosis was confirmed by tissue tests carried out during the operation, as stated in a Vatican medical bulletin. France 24 reported that the Pope underwent tumor removal surgery on 16 October 2026 to address a tumor in his right lung.

The two reports differ on the name of the hospital. France 24 says the surgery was performed at Jimili Hospital in Rome, while almarkazia.com names Gimele Hospital in Rome. The reports also differ on the timing of the admission and the surgery. almarkazia.com says the Pope was admitted on Tuesday, while France 24 gives 16 October 2026 as the date of the surgery. The sources do not reconcile these details.

According to almarkazia.com, the operation lasted about 90 minutes and was completed without complications. Surgeons used a video-aided technique to remove the lower lobe of the right lung. That report says the Pope is expected to remain in hospital for about a week.

France 24 reports that the Vatican released a photograph showing the Pope standing in front of an altar inside his hospital room, and that he appeared to be in good health. During his stay, he held a Mass for medical and nursing staff, people who were present outside working hours, and police officers. In his address, he thanked medical and service personnel for their dedication and their care for human vulnerability.

France 24 also reports that a chest X-ray on Thursday indicated good recovery of the lungs, and that further examinations on Friday showed continuing improvement. A Vatican source told the outlet that the Pope’s condition is good and that his recovery is going well. The Vatican has not disclosed the date of the Pope’s release from hospital. The report says his recovery is expected to take about a week.

almarkazia.com reports that all public events have been postponed until 20 October. The same report states that Pope Lawon was elected in May 2025, after the death of Pope Francis Salva Lawon in April 2025. France 24’s report does not address these points.