VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV will require no further medical treatment following successful surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his lung, the Vatican announced Tuesday.
The pontiff, who was hospitalized earlier this month, has received a clean bill of health regarding the necessity for follow-up oncological intervention. In a statement released by the Holy See, doctors Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora confirmed that the pathology reports returned from the October 13 procedure were positive.
“The results confirmed that the tumor was a pulmonary adenocarcinoma and that the disease was localized,” the medical team stated. “A subsequent oncological evaluation confirmed that no further treatment is necessary.”
The 267th pontiff, a Chicago native formerly known as Cardinal Robert Prevost before his election in May 2025, underwent a three-hour, minimally invasive camera-guided surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. The procedure, which lasted approximately 90 minutes, was reported to be entirely successful and free of complications.
Because the adenocarcinoma—the most common form of non-small cell lung cancer—was caught while still “localized” and had not spread to other parts of the body, the medical prognosis is significantly improved. According to data from the American Cancer Society, early-stage, localized lung cancer carries a much higher five-year relative survival rate than cases where the disease has progressed to regional lymph nodes or distant organs.
The news of the Pope’s recovery comes just days after he was discharged from Rome’s Agostino Gemelli University Hospital. In a display of his rapid return to health, the 71-year-old pontiff appeared at the window of his Vatican residence this past Sunday. The sight of the Pope, who led a prayer and greeted a jubilant crowd, served as a symbolic confirmation that his physical recovery was progressing as quickly as his medical team had projected.
With the cancer confirmed as localized and no further medical intervention required, the Vatican has signaled that the Pope will adhere to his previously announced agenda. There has been no indication of changes to his upcoming international travel schedule, which includes an intensive pastoral visit to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, currently slated for November 6 through November 17.
As the first American to lead the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV’s health has been a subject of global attention since his diagnosis was made public last week. With his medical team now advising that he is free of the immediate need for treatment, the Vatican is expected to maintain its standard focus on the upcoming South American trip, effectively signaling a full return to his papal duties.
Disclaimer: This content is auto-generated for informational purposes only.
Source: Read Original News
