Pope Leo Needs No Further Treatment After Lung Cancer Surgery, Vatican Says

Tests Confirm Localized Cancer

The Vatican said Wednesday that follow-up testing confirmed Pope Leo XIV’s lung cancer was localized. His personal physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, and surgeon, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, said tests on tissue removed during surgery supported the original diagnosis and found no spread.

The pope’s right lung lower lobe was removed last week in an effort to take out all the cancer. The tests identified adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer.

Recovery After Surgery

Leo, 71, left the hospital Saturday, four days after the operation. The Vatican had initially expected him to remain there for a week. The surgery was the first major health event of his 17-month pontificate. He has since appeared publicly at the traditional Sunday blessing and a longer Wednesday audience, and continued handling business during his hospital stay, including a call with Russian President Putin.

Nodule Found By Chance

The lung nodule was discovered unexpectedly during routine abdominal examinations, Margaritora told Vatican News. Leo disclosed on Oct. 11 that the nodule had been found and would be removed surgically.

Doctors may recommend additional treatment when tests suggest cancer has spread or show other signs that it could be aggressive. Surgery can be sufficient when tumors are detected very early, including through scans that reveal a spot before it grows or causes symptoms.

November Trip Still Planned

Leo’s next major engagement is a Nov. 6-17 trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. The planned journey includes a dozen flights, two helicopter rides and stops at high altitude.

Margaritora told Vatican News there was “no clinical reason” to prevent the trip. The Vatican’s statement said the post-operative oncology assessment found no need for further treatment.