Pope Leo XIV needs no further treatment after lung cancer surgery, doctors say
Pope Leo XIV's doctors say test results confirmed localized lung adenocarcinoma and that no further treatment is needed after surgery to remove part of his right lung.
The story in focus
Pope Leo XIV does not need further treatment after surgery to remove a cancerous growth from his lung, his doctors said. Test results confirmed localized lung adenocarcinoma, as initially diagnosed. The 71-year-old was discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital over the weekend and held his first weekly general audience since leaving hospital on Wednesday.
- Pope Leo XIV's doctors said no further treatment is necessary after surgery for lung adenocarcinoma.
- Test results confirmed the disease was localized, according to a Vatican statement.
- The 71-year-old was discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital over the weekend after surgery on 13 October.
Doctors confirm localized cancer
Test results on tissue removed during surgery confirmed that Pope Leo XIV had a lung adenocarcinoma and that the disease was localized, according to a statement shared by the Vatican. A subsequent oncological assessment confirmed that no further treatment is necessary, the statement added.
The surgery took place on 13 October and lasted 90 minutes, including removal of the lower lobe of the Pope's right lung. The pontiff had announced the procedure during his weekly Sunday prayers, saying doctors found a nodule on his lung that was caught at an early stage.
Recovery and public appearances
The 71-year-old was discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital over the weekend, four days after his operation, stopping to speak to well-wishers as he left the grounds. He held his first weekly general audience since leaving hospital at St Peter's Square on Wednesday.
Images shared days after his operation, on Friday, showed the Pope celebrating Mass from the hospital wearing green vestments and standing behind a makeshift altar.
On Friday, the Vatican said he spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin to urge a ceasefire in the blockaded Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky to allow delivery of food aid, and to call for dialogue and peace. He had a similar call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday.
Travel plans
Those close to the Pope have previously said he was keen not to delay a trip to Latin America planned for early November.
The official schedule includes a trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru between November 6 and 17, and the trip is expected to proceed as planned, according to ABC News.
When was Pope Leo XIV's surgery and how long did it last?
The surgery took place on 13 October and lasted 90 minutes. It included removal of the lower lobe of the Pope's right lung, according to BBC News.
Sources & further reading
- Pope does not need further treatment after lung cancer surgery ↗BBC News
- Pope Leo's doctors say no further treatment is necessary after lung cancer surgery ↗ABC News
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