By Paul Joseph
Pope Leo XIV will not require further treatment following surgery for lung cancer after medical tests confirmed that the disease was confined to the affected area, his doctors have announced.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, October 21, eight days after the Vatican publicly disclosed the pontiff’s diagnosis.
In a statement, the pope’s personal physician and the surgeon who removed the lower lobe of his right lung at Gemelli Hospital in Rome on October 13 said laboratory tests on the removed tissue confirmed lung adenocarcinoma but showed that the disease was localized.
“A subsequent oncology evaluation confirmed that no further treatment is necessary,” the doctors said.
Lung adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer. When detected at an early stage, surgery alone may be sufficient, although patients generally require regular medical monitoring.
The development has eased concerns about the pope’s health and its possible implications for his official engagements, less than 18 months into his papacy.
Leo, who was discharged from the hospital last Saturday, made his first public appearance after his discharge the following day, telling worshippers at St. Peter’s Square that he would gradually resume his duties.
He returned to the square on Wednesday for his weekly general audience, riding through cheering crowds in the popemobile, waving to the faithful and stopping to bless babies.
Despite his recent health challenge, the pontiff has continued to carry out selected official responsibilities.
He spoke by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the weekend, urging a cease-fire to allow civilians to evacuate a besieged city in Ukraine. He also spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky two days later about a cease-fire.
Earlier in the week, Leo met participants at a Vatican conference and appointed 24 members to a theological commission, increasing the number of lay members and women represented on the body.
The pope’s cancer diagnosis became public after he informed worshippers that he would undergo surgery to remove a small growth from his lung. Doctors subsequently confirmed the diagnosis, which preoperative tests had indicated.
In an interview with Vatican News, Stefano Margaritora, the thoracic surgeon who performed the operation, described the procedure as routine for a lung tumour of the size involved, explaining that the entire lobe containing the tumour had to be removed.
Margaritora also expressed satisfaction with the pope’s recovery, saying Leo had shown strong commitment to his postoperative rehabilitation.
Attention is now turning to the pontiff’s planned 11-day visit to South America, scheduled to begin on November 6, with stops in Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.
The itinerary has raised questions because it involves several flights and visits to high-altitude locations in Peru. However, Leo has indicated that he remains hopeful of undertaking the trip.
The Vatican has not announced any change to the planned schedule following the doctors’ latest assessment.
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