Vatican chief calls Leo's cancer a turning point

Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the foreign minister of the Holy See, stated that Pope Leo XIV’s recent lung cancer diagnosis represents a fundamental shift in how the Vatican and the public view the 71-year-old leader. Gallagher made the comments Tuesday during a press event with the Italian foreign press association. He noted that while the pope is recovering well, the illness marks a departure from the image of an invincible figure established during his early months in office.

Pope Leo, a Chicago-born Jesuit who was elected in 2025, underwent surgery on October 13 to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. Doctors identified the tumor as adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer. Following the procedure, tests indicated that no additional treatment was necessary. The pope has since been gradually resuming his daily routine and public appearances.

Gallagher said that there was a temptation among some in the Church to view Leo as a "Superman" or a "Superpope" after he quickly assumed leadership following the long illness and death of his predecessor, Pope Francis. The new diagnosis, Gallagher argued, reminds observers that Leo is a mortal human being. "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 others perceive the pope and potentially how Leo sees himself.

Despite the recent medical news, the Vatican confirmed this week that Leo will proceed with his planned trip to Latin America from November 6 to 17. The itinerary includes visits to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru. The schedule involves a dozen flights and two helicopter rides covering 19,000 miles, making it the longest journey of his pontificate so far. Gallagher explained that the pope simply wanted to go, citing positive clinical advice from his medical team.

Leo has a deep personal connection to Peru, where he served as a missionary priest for 20 years. He holds Peruvian citizenship and maintains a close attachment to the people of his former diocese of Chiclayo. This personal history appears to be a driving factor in his decision to travel despite his recent recovery.

The Vatican foreign minister also provided details on future travel plans. He predicted that Leo will visit the United States in the near future, though the timing of next month's midterm elections could influence whether the trip occurs in 2027 or later. Preliminary discussions have considered aligning a U.S. visit with the United Nations General Assembly in the fall or pairing it with a stop in Mexico. Gallagher noted that the pope is keen to visit the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, a major pilgrimage site previously visited by past popes.

Other significant trips are already in the planning stages. Gallagher said it is highly likely that Leo will travel to Australia in 2028 to close the International Eucharistic Congress in Sydney. He also confirmed plans for Leo to travel to South Korea in August 2027 for World Youth Day. These events serve as fixed points around which the Vatican is structuring the pope's schedule for the coming years.

Gallagher, who has worked with the pope since his election, described Leo as a pensive and thoughtful leader who is not impetuous. He noted that Leo, a mathematics major, is well-informed and often already knows the details before he is briefed. Gallagher admitted that he did not know about the surgery until Leo announced it to the world on October 11 during his weekly blessing. The pope is known for keeping his long-term plans close to his chest, often revealing them only when they are ready for public action.

The foreign minister rejected the idea that the traditionalist bureaucracy of the Vatican, known as the Curia, would undermine Leo's agenda. He described Leo as serene and focused on preaching the Gospel. "I don't think the Curia will eat him up," Gallagher said, adding that if the bureaucracy attempted to stifle the pope's vision, Leo would demonstrate that he has his own appetite.