Vatican issues update on Pope Leo
Reported by The Independent · October 14, 2026
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.
The Vatican has issued an update on Pope Leo’s condition, following a shock announcement on Tuesday that the 71-year-old pontiff has cancer.
Lung nodules are very common, and around 95 per cent turn out to be benign, according to experts.
Tests had confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer, the Vatican said.
The diagnosis had been suspected during preoperative tests and was confirmed during surgery.
It added that further information about his condition would be released later in the day.
Dive deeper
- Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.
- The Vatican has issued an update on Pope Leo’s condition, following a shock announcement on Tuesday that the 71-year-old pontiff has cancer.
- Lung nodules are very common, and around 95 per cent turn out to be benign, according to experts.
- Tests had confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer, the Vatican said.
- The diagnosis had been suspected during preoperative tests and was confirmed during surgery.