Pope Leo XIV’s recent lung cancer diagnosis has raised questions about whether he was aware of his illness during a pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, last month. The pope visited the Grotto of the Apparitions shortly after arriving in Lourdes, engaging in traditional acts of devotion, including praying before a statue of the Virgin Mary, touching the grotto’s rock wall, drinking its spring water, and lighting a candle. However, the Vatican has not confirmed when the pope first learned of his condition, leaving room for speculation among observers.
The Vatican announced last week that Pope Leo had been diagnosed with lung cancer and underwent surgery to remove a growth. He was discharged from the hospital on Saturday following the operation. Despite widespread interest, especially from international media, Vatican officials, including spokesperson Matteo Bruni, have provided limited information on the timeline of the diagnosis or the potential causes of the illness.
The lack of detailed disclosures has intensified scrutiny of remarks by Vatican representatives. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, told reporters on Thursday that it was premature to predict the pope’s future health status and the implications for his pontificate. Parolin highlighted the need to wait for medical assessments before determining how the pope’s leadership might adapt.
Such cautious communication reflects longstanding Vatican practices surrounding papal health, characterized by a tendency towards confidentiality. Historically, major health developments of recent popes have been revealed late or shrouded in speculation, as with Pope John XXIII’s cancer diagnosis disclosed only days before his death in 1963, and the belated acknowledgement of Pope John Paul II’s Parkinson’s disease in 2003.
In contrast, Pope Leo took the unusual step of publicly announcing the planned surgery in advance, a move seen by some church figures as promoting transparency. Archbishop Timothy Broglio, head of Catholic chaplains in the U.S. military, praised the pope’s direct communication as a means to reduce rumors and speculation. Cardinal Parolin echoed this sentiment, appreciating Pope Leo’s openness to preclude suspicions of hidden motives.
Medical details released so far indicate that the pope underwent multiple diagnostic tests, including a CT scan, PET scan, and bronchoscopy before surgery. According to Bruni, the type of bronchoscopy performed, which requires general anesthesia, would have likely identified malignancy prior to the operation. Pope Leo’s brother, Louis Prevost, who also has cancer, said the pope informed him about the tumor beforehand, describing it as “early enough” and “small,” suggesting that the surgery would be straightforward.
Some Italian media have speculated Pope Leo might have known about the cancer before his Lourdes visit in mid-September, but the Vatican has neither confirmed nor denied this. When asked about the significance of the Lourdes trip in light of the diagnosis, Bruni referred to the pope’s comments during his return flight, in which Leo described Lourdes as a place where people seek deeper meaning despite suffering.
Experts note that the Vatican’s current communication strategy marks a departure from previous periods of secrecy, with detailed medical information provided directly by the pope’s doctors and the involvement of the pope’s U.S. background cited as influential in fostering greater openness.
As of now, the precise timing of Pope Leo’s diagnosis remains unclear, reflecting the delicate balance between respecting his privacy and addressing the global church’s interest in the health of its leader.