Peru

Lima, October 14, 2026. The Peruvian press is following the operation of Pope León XIV with a double concern, medical and national. On Tuesday, October 13, according to the Vatican's statement, reported by Andina (AFP), the surgeons at Gemelli removed the lower lobe of the right lung "to ensure that the procedure was radical." The peroperative histological examination "confirmed the diagnosis of a pulmonary adenocarcinoma, as suspected." The intervention lasted approximately 90 minutes, for three hours in the operating room, and took place without complications. The pope "woke up normally" and asked for his dinner, according to a Vatican source.

The medical aspect is mainly covered by RPP. Doctor Elmer Huerta states: "This is not good news, what the pope has is a malignant tumor." He recalls that the size of the tumor and the possible involvement of the lymph nodes are unknown, and that these elements will decide the treatment. Oncologist surgeon Edgar Amorín mentions a PET scan of the entire body and a cerebral MRI to measure the extension. RPP notes that the medical team did not specify if a specific treatment would be necessary.

But the Peruvian stake is the trip. Trome locates the visit from November 11 to 16; Gestión recalls that Peru is on the South American program and that no official statement says what will happen. La República mentions a holiday for the visit, which the Minister of Labor will only announce after a prognosis from the Vatican. Columnist Carlos Cacho believes that the pope "should not come to Peru": "the health of the Holy Father comes first." He adds that the final decision belongs to the pontiff.

The political and emotional dimension is expressed through the voice of President Keiko Fujimori, who writes on X: "Peruvians receive with deep sadness the news about the health of our dear Pope León XIV." She calls for a "prayer chain" and assures that Peru, "his home," embraces him. Andina also relays messages from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Chilean chancellery.

On the Vatican side, its audiences are canceled until October 20, and the mass on Wednesday, October 14, at St. Peter's Square will be presided over by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, announces Matteo Bruni. The hospitalization is expected to last approximately one week, according to Diario Correo and La República.