Pope Leo's lung cancer diagnosis and surgery has changed how Catholics view his health and papacy, the Vatican's foreign minister said on Tuesday 27 October 2026, in an unusually frank assessment from one of the Church's most senior officials.

"It's a bit of a gamechanger," Archbishop Paul Gallagher told journalists at an event in Rome. Leo, 71, had part of one lung removed in surgery on 13 October after being diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer. His doctors have said the cancer was localised and had not spread, and the pope will not require further treatment.

From 'Superman' pope to mortal

Gallagher said that given Leo's relatively young age for a pope and his physical fitness, some Catholics had thought he was a "Superman" pope. The illness revealed that Leo "is a poor mortal like the rest of us," the archbishop said, adding: "I think that is going to change how we see him and possibly how he sees himself as well." Gallagher, a Briton, has served as the Vatican's foreign minister since 2014.

South America trip goes ahead

The pope has been gradually resuming his schedule since returning to the Vatican on 18 October and has appeared energetic at public events, speaking in a firm, clear voice. The Vatican confirmed on Monday that he will go ahead with a three-country visit across South America from 6 to 17 November, one of the most intense foreign tours arranged for a pope in decades, with Gallagher saying all medical advice is very positive. Separately, Gallagher said he did not believe the Vatican was involved in arranging the recent Russia-Ukraine ceasefire allowing aid into Oleshky, despite Leo having spoken with both presidents.

Sources: Reuters.