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MANILA, Philippines — Pope Leo was hospitalized in Rome’s Gemelli hospital late morning on October 13, ahead of surgery to remove a small growth on one of his lungs. The 71-year-old pontiff has lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer, with tissue tests conducted during the operation confirming what doctors had suspected from preparatory examinations.
The surgery to remove a small growth discovered during a recent routine health check lasted about 90 minutes and was successful, with no complications, according to Leo’s lead surgeon, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, and personal physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone.
Blood tests and a chest X-ray carried out on October 14, showed normal post-operative results, the Vatican said, adding that the pontiff had undergone respiratory physiotherapy. Pope Leo‘s recovery from surgery is progressing as expected and he has begun walking in his hospital room and eating normally.
Meanwhile, on October 13, the prosecution team in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte withdrew all but one of the articles of impeachment to expedite the proceedings. Lead prosecutor Gerville Luistro stated that focusing on one article allows for a more efficient trial, while the defense team expressed concerns about due process and the potential for a mistrial.
The court accepted the withdrawal of the other charges, which prevents the prosecution from reviving those cases during the current Congress, allowing the defense to concentrate on the remaining unexplained wealth allegation.
Catch more stories in these photos from the week that was:
Pope Leo arrives at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, Italy, on October 13, 2026, ahead of the pontiff’s surgery to remove a lung nodule. PHOTO BY CIRO DE LUCA/REUTERS
Demonstrators march in Lower Manhattan in response to a recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement shooting in New York City on October 9, 2026. PHOTO BY EDUARDO MUNOZ/REUTERS
A combination picture shows surveillance footage of people standing right before the moment of an attack (top), and smoke and fire as people react at the moment of an attack (bottom), at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on October 10, 2026. SAUDI MINISTRY OF MEDIA SCREENGRABS/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS
Waves generated by post-Tropical Cyclone Rachel impact houses along the coastline in Long Beach, California, on October 11, 2026. PHOTO BY DANIEL COLE/REUTERS
Supporters of Brazilian President Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva carry a large rainbow flag as they fill an avenue in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on October 11, 2026, during a protest in defense of democracy and in support of him ahead of the second round of Brazil’s presidential election. PHOTO BY AMANDA PEROBELLI/REUTERS
Financial forensic analyst Alexander Cabrera, the prosecution’s final witness, peruse documents during his testimony in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on October 12, 2026. SENATE SOCIAL MEDIA UNIT
British actor and comedian Russell Brand and his wife Laura Brand leave Southwark Crown Court in London on October 12, 2026, where he is standing trial on charges of rape and sexual assault relating to six women, which he denies. PHOTO BY HANNAH MCKAY/REUTERS
Former president Rodrigo Duterte attends the fourth status conference at the Trial Chamber III of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands on October 13, 2026. PHOTO BY ICC-CPI
Staff members pose with Vincent van Gogh’s ‘Chataigniers en fleurs’ (Chestnut Trees in Blossom) at a media preview in Hong Kong, on October 13, 2026, ahead of its auction in New York, at Sotheby’s. PHOTO BY JOYCE ZHOU/REUTERS
Muslim pilgrims touch the Kaaba as they perform Umrah at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on October 13, 2026. PHOTO BY REUTERS
Members of Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide along with supporters, march in Monumento, Caloocan City on October 13, 2026, to honor and pay their final respects to the late jeepney driver and activist Tatay Elmer Cordero. PHOTO FROM PISTON FACEBOOK
A masked protester holds a French flag as French police use a water cannon during a demonstration by French high school and university students in Paris, France, on October 13, 2026, as part of a nationwide protest movement demanding better school conditions and concrete measures. PHOTO BY SARAH MEYSSONNIER/REUTERS
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle leads a Mass in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, October 14, 2026, to mark the 10th anniversary of the apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia, including special prayers for the health of Pope Leo, who is in hospital after lung surgery. PHOTO BY STOYAN NENOV/REUTERS
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham shakes hands to welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy outside 10 Downing Street, in London on October 14, 2026. PHOTO BY JACK TAYLOR/REUTERS
US President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a campaign rally at Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport in Bullhead City, Arizona, on October 14, 2026. PHOTO BY EVAN VUCCI/REUTERS
Smoke rises from a burning vessel, following what the US Central Command said was a strike on an Iranian-affiliated dhow, at the Gulf of Oman on October 14, 2026. US CENTRAL COMMAND/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS
A woman lights a candle during a candlelight vigil at Drake Park for victims of the Silver Rail Elementary School shooting, in Bend, Oregon, on October 15, 2026. PHOTO BY DAVID RYDER/REUTERS
A person stands on a promenade as haze from wildfires shrouds the area, on the bank of the Kahayan River in Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan province, Indonesia, on October 14, 2026. PHOTO BY ARIEF RAHMAN SEPTIAN PRATHAMA/REUTERS
A woman stands next to a sculpture titled ‘ART (Artificial Real Time)’ by artist Erica Zaino on the opening day of the ‘Sculpture by the Sea’ outdoor exhibition in Bondi, Sydney, Australia, on October 16, 2026. PHOTO BY HOLLIE ADAMS/REUTERS
Pope Leo is seen for the first time following his hospitalization for lung cancer diagnosis, as he celebrates Mass in a room of Gemelli Hospital in Rome, Italy, attended by off-duty medical staff and members of the Vatican Gendarmerie, on October 16, 2026. VATICAN MEDIA HANDOUT VIA REUTERS
—with reports from Reuters/Rappler.com
