Vatican chief says Pope Leo's cancer diagnosis alters papal outlook

Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican's foreign minister, stated on Tuesday that Pope Leo XIV's recent lung cancer diagnosis serves as a turning point for the institution and the pontificate.

Leo, 71, underwent surgery on Oct. 13 to remove the lower lobe of his right lung after doctors identified a tumor. Medical staff later diagnosed the tumor as adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer. Subsequent tests showed no further treatment was required, and the pope has begun resuming his daily routine.

Gallagher spoke to reporters at the Italian foreign press association. He noted a previous tendency to view Leo as a "Superman" after his 2025 election. The pope had immediately begun working following the long illness and death of Pope Francis. Gallagher argued that Leo's illness reveals his mortality. "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," Gallagher said. He added that this reality will likely change how people see him and how he sees himself.

Despite the diagnosis, the Vatican confirmed this week that Leo will proceed with his scheduled trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from Nov. 6 to Nov. 17. The itinerary remains unchanged and includes 12 flights and two helicopter rides covering 19,000 miles. This will be the longest trip of Leo's papacy. Gallagher explained that the pope simply wanted to go, citing positive medical advice. Leo spent 20 years as a missionary priest in Peru and holds citizenship there. He has a close attachment to his former diocese of Chiclayo.

Gallagher also predicted a visit to the United States in the near future. He suggested the timing of that trip might depend on the results of next month's midterm elections. The Vatican generally avoids papal travel during national election cycles to prevent political use of the pope. Preliminary discussions have considered aligning a U.S. visit with the fall United Nations General Assembly or a stop in Mexico. Gallagher noted that Leo is keen to visit the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.

Other scheduled travel includes a trip to Australia in 2028 to close the International Eucharistic Congress in Sydney. A visit to South Korea for World Youth Day is expected in August 2027. Gallagher described Leo as pensive and well-informed. He said the pope, a math major, often knows the details before they are presented during their weekly Wednesday briefings. Gallagher admitted he did not know about the surgery until Leo announced it publicly on Oct. 11. The pope keeps his long-term plans private.

Gallagher rejected the idea that the Vatican bureaucracy would overpower Leo's agenda. He said if the Curia shows signs of doing so, the pope will demonstrate he has an appetite of his own.