Pope Leo XIV will not require further treatment for lung cancer after final tests confirmed the disease was localized and had not spread, the Vatican announced, marking a significant relief for the 71-year-old pontiff less than two weeks after he underwent surgery to remove part of his right lung.
The pope’s personal physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, and his surgeon, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, said in a statement that a subsequent oncology assessment confirmed no additional therapy was necessary following the procedure to remove the lower lobe of his right lung.
The surgery, performed at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, confirmed the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer.
The cancer was discovered by chance. Dr. Margaritora told Vatican News that the nodule was found during routine abdominal examinations and that the pope had not been experiencing any symptoms.
The pontiff publicly disclosed the finding during his Angelus address, displaying an unusual transparency about papal health matters.
Pope Leo was discharged from the hospital earlier than anticipated and made his first public appearance at the Vatican on Oct. 18, visibly strong as he addressed the faithful in St. Peter’s Square.
“I would like to thank everyone who has prayed for me these past few days. I have truly felt your support,” he said to applause. “This experience has made me feel a special closeness to all those who are facing illness and infirmity”.
He indicated that he would resume his duties gradually. “Now that I have gotten through this delicate phase, as you know, I will gradually resume my activities, always with God’s help and your prayers,” the pope said.
Dr. Margaritora described the pope as “an absolutely ideal patient” who “truly put his heart and soul” into following medical instructions. The surgeon recounted that on the second day after the operation, staff found the pope arranging chairs in the hospital chapel himself. “We can do that,” they told him, but the pope insisted, “It doesn’t matter. I can do it, so I will”.
Regarding the pope’s scheduled trans-Atlantic trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru in November, Dr. Margaritora said there were “no clinical reasons why it should not take place,” though he noted that full physical recovery would take approximately another ten days.
The pope has deep ties to the region, having spent two decades as a missionary in Peru and holding Peruvian citizenship.
The Vatican has not announced any changes to the apostolic journey. The pope’s swift recovery and the confirmation that no further treatment is needed have eased concerns that arose after the unexpected surgery, which marked the first major health event of his pontificate.
