Pope Leo had a lung lobe removed; the Vatican says tests found lung cancer
The Vatican said in a medical bulletin that Pope Leo had the lower lobe of his right lung removed in surgery on Tuesday and was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer (Reuters, via the Straits Times). The Straits Times earlier carried the Vatican’s statement that the operation was successfully completed. CBS News and The Independent also carried the diagnosis, going by their headlines. It is the 71-year-old pope’s first hospitalisation since he became head of the Catholic Church on 8 May 2025 (Straits Times).
The health of the head of a church of over a billion members draws wide attention, and a cancer diagnosis raises questions about recovery and workload.
No direct effect on Malaysia.
DailyDrop saw the bulletin only as relayed by others and did not see the full text. Further medical updates from the Vatican will tell more than commentary.
DailyDrop Malaysia edition No. 10 · Morning · WED., OCT. 14, 2026