Courtney Mares is Vatican Editor for OSV News. Follow her on X @catholicourtney.
October 18, 2026
One week after Pope Leo XIV first revealed to the world that he would be undergoing lung surgery, the pope returned to the window of the Vatican's Apostolic Palace Oct. 18, thanking Catholics worldwide for their prayers five days after undergoing lung cancer surgery.
October 17, 2026
Pope Leo XIV was discharged from the hospital Oct. 17 after doctors deemed him fit to return to the Vatican four days after lung cancer surgery.
October 15, 2026
Doctors treating Pope Leo XIV said Oct. 15 that tests show "good recovery of the operated lung" two days after his cancer surgery.
October 14, 2026
Pope Leo XIV underwent more medical exams and started respiratory physical therapy on Oct. 14, the day after the lung cancer surgery that removed the lower lobe of the pope's right lung.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the newly elected dean of the College of Cardinals, presided over the closing Mass for the Vatican meeting of bishops on marriage and family on Oct. 14, reading aloud a homily that had been prepared by Pope Leo XIV.
October 13, 2026
Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer following a 90-minute surgery on Oct. 13 during which surgeons removed the lower lobe of the pope's right lung.
Pope Leo XIV's surgery to remove a lung nodule on Oct. 13 was completed successfully, the Vatican announced that night.
Pope Leo XIV was admitted Oct. 13 to Rome's Gemelli Hospital, where the Vatican has confirmed that he will undergo surgery to remove a lung nodule in the afternoon.
October 12, 2026
The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Leo XIV will be admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Oct. 13 before undergoing lung surgery, prompting the cancellation of several public appearances and meetings for the coming week.
October 10, 2026
Pope Leo XIV appointed Oct. 10 Archbishop Vittorio Francesco Viola as the new archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica and the pope's vicar for Vatican City.
