Pope Leo XIV Is Cancer Free, No Further Treatment Needed
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Pope Leo XIV’s doctors have confirmed that the tumour removed from his right lung was a localised lung adenocarcinoma, with a subsequent oncological assessment concluding that no further treatment is necessary.
The findings were announced on Wednesday, October 21, after final histopathology and molecular testing results from the tissue removed during surgery on October 13 became available.
“The results confirmed that the tumour was a lung adenocarcinoma and that the disease was localised. A subsequent oncological assessment has confirmed that no further treatment is necessary,” said a statement issued by Dr Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora and released by the Holy See Press Office.
The diagnosis confirms that the tumour was cancerous, but doctors said the disease was localised and that further treatment was not required following the assessment.
Pope Underwent Surgery To Remove Part Of Right Lung
Pope Leo underwent surgery on October 13 to remove the lower lobe of his right lung after being diagnosed with lung cancer, the Vatican said last week.
The procedure was minimally invasive and camera-guided. Carbone and Margaritora had said the pontiff spent about three hours in the operating room, with the surgery itself lasting approximately 90 minutes.
The operation was successful, with no complications reported, the doctors said at the time.
The Vatican had initially expected his recovery to take about a week.
Pope Returns To Vatican After Hospital Discharge
Pope Leo was discharged from Rome’s Agostino Gemelli University Hospital on Saturday afternoon and returned to the Vatican.
On Sunday, he appeared at the window of his Vatican residence, drawing cheers from the crowd gathered below before leading those present in prayer.
The appearance marked his return to a public papal engagement just days after the surgery.
About Pope Leo
Born in Chicago, Pope Leo, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, was elected the 267th pontiff of the Catholic Church in May 2025, becoming the first American pope.
The latest medical assessment provides an update on his recovery, with his doctors confirming that the localised lung adenocarcinoma does not require further treatment at this stage.
