Vatican minister says pope's lung cancer changes the rules for the papacy

What Gallagher said

On Tuesday, 27 October, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican's foreign minister, told journalists at an event in Rome that the lung cancer diagnosis and surgery of Pope Leo XIV have affected how Catholics view his health and the papacy. He described the development as something that changes the rules a little, an unusual admission from one of the Church's most senior officials.

Gallagher said that because Leo is relatively young for a pope and in good physical shape, some Catholics had come to regard him as a "Superman" pope. The illness, he said, showed that Leo is an ordinary mortal, like everyone else. He added that he believed this would change how Catholics see the pope and possibly how Leo sees himself.

Surgery and prognosis

The 71-year-old pope underwent surgery on 13 October in which part of one of his lungs was removed. His doctors said the tumour had been localised and had not spread, and that he would not need further treatment.

Ceasefire over Oleshky

Gallagher also addressed a recent ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, agreed to allow humanitarian aid into the Ukrainian city of Oleshky, which is under Russian control. He said Leo had recently spoken with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Even so, he said he did not think the Vatican had taken part in arranging the truce.

The China agreement

The Vatican's agreement with China on the appointment of Catholic bishops remains in force. It was signed in 2018 and gives Chinese officials a degree of influence over the people Leo appoints as bishops in the country. Gallagher acknowledged that the deal has "imperfections". He said dialogue is not easy and that the flaws are evident, but that there is a commitment to keep talking, and that this will continue.

A possible visit to the United States

Gallagher said he believed Leo, the first pope born in the United States, could visit the country "in the not too distant future". No date for such a trip was given.