Does the Pope have one lung?
Matthew Wilson
Updated on January 20, 2026
Vatican officials now say that the new Pope Francis lost just part of a lung to disease as a young man, and that the injury has never affected his work. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires had a pulmonary illness some 40 years ago during which part of one lung was removed, according to Fr.
How many lungs does the pope have?
Pope Francis is a pioneering pontiff in many ways — he's the first to take the name of Francis, the first pope from South America, and the first to don the papal robes with an unusual medical condition.Why does the pope have only one lung?
He has dubbed the condition “a troublesome guest". Francis almost died when he was 21 after developing pleurisy — an inflammation of the tissues that surround the lung — according to biographer Austen Ivereigh. He had part of one of his lungs removed in October 1957.Does the pope have both lungs?
Newly elected Pope Francis is two years younger than Pope Benedict XVI was when he was elected in 2005, but the 76-year-old from Argentina still has at least one health issue: He has only one lung.Why was Pope Francis lung removed?
Given the pope's previous respiratory issues — he is missing part of his right lung after having it removed following a severe bout of pneumonia in his youth — Chand said doctors would need to monitor his breathing carefully.15 Things You Didn’t Know About Pope Francis
Can you survive with one lung?
Most people can get by with only one lung instead of two, if needed. Usually, one lung can provide enough oxygen and remove enough carbon dioxide, unless the other lung is damaged.What surgery the Pope had?
The Vatican said Pope Francis underwent a left-hemicolectomy, a surgical procedure that involves removing the left side of the colon and joining the remaining sections. Doctors not involved in the pontiff's care said the procedure was common in cases of recurring episodes of diverticulitis.Who is the Pope's wife?
However, the rule books when you become Pope are a little stricter. You have to learn multiple languages, attend confession, meet with heads of state, lead mass services, and remain celibate. This means the simple answer to this article's question is no, Popes do not marry.What is the pope's net worth?
The estimated net worth of Pope Francis is $2.5 million.Among being a religious center for a large percentage of the population, the Vatican is also one of the richest entities on the planet.
What does it feel like to have one lung?
Learning to slow downWhile most people with two lungs expect people with one lung to be winded all the time, the surprising fact is that the remaining lung expands to replace the space in the chest. After recovery, a person with one lung can expect to have at least 70 percent of their previous respiratory function.