Holy Smoke
Best of the Spectator
Holy Smoke: Should we worry about Pope Leo?
- Published
- October 18, 2026
- Duration
- 20:36
- Summary source
- description
- Last updated
- Oct 21, 2026
Discusses daily, society, culture.
Summary
Pope Leo XIV is recovering in hospital after undergoing surgery for lung cancer, with doctors removing the lower lobe of his right lung. The Vatican says his recovery is progressing normally, but questions remain over how his illness could affect a pontificate that is still in its early stages.What does the Pope’s diagnosis mean for the Catholic Church? T…
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Show notes
Pope Leo XIV is recovering in hospital after undergoing surgery for lung cancer, with doctors removing the lower lobe of his right lung. The Vatican says his recovery is progressing normally, but questions remain over how his illness could affect a pontificate that is still in its early stages.What does the Pope’s diagnosis mean for the Catholic Church? The Pillar’s Ed Condon joins Damian Thompson to consider how illness could reshape Leo’s papacy and whether his health could speed up the proces
Themes
- daily
- society
- culture