Pope Leo's Lung Cancer Treatment Declared Successful by Vatican

Pope Leo's treatment for lung cancer has been successful, the Vatican announced on Wednesday. The pontiff, 71, was released from the hospital on Saturday, four days after undergoing a procedure to remove a cancerous mass from his lung.

According to the Vatican press office, the Pope, who is from Chicago, Illinois, will not require any further treatment. "The final histological reports and molecular biology analyses of the tissue removed during the Holy Father’s surgery were issued today," stated Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora. "The results confirmed that the tumor was a lung adenocarcinoma and that the disease was localized. A subsequent oncological assessment has confirmed that no further treatment is necessary."

Pulmonary adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer accounting for about 40 percent of cases worldwide, was identified. The head of the Catholic Church underwent a 90-minute procedure last Tuesday morning after a lesion was discovered on his chest. During the surgery, a portion of Pope Leo XIV's right lung was removed.

His recovery was expected to last about a week after his discharge from Rome's Agostino Gemelli University Hospital on Saturday afternoon. On Sunday morning, he appeared at St. Peter's Square to lead a prayer service, drawing cheers from thousands.

Smiling from a window of the Vatican's Apostolic Palace, the first U.S. Pope thanked people globally for their prayers and indicated he would begin to resume his normal schedule. "Having overcome this delicate phase... I will now gradually resume my activities, always with the help of God and your prayers," Leo stated, having walked unaided to the service. He also encouraged those gathered to set aside selfish ambitions and serve God without compromise.

The Pope remarked that the past week's experience "has made me feel especially close to those facing illness and infirmity." He expressed gratitude for the support he felt and extended particular thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Gemelli hospital.

Pope Leo became pontiff on May 8, 2025, making him the first American-born pontiff in the history of the Roman Catholic Church. He was ordained as a priest in Chicago in 1982 and engaged in missionary work in Peru during the 1980s and 1990s. Prior to his papacy, he was known as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost.

This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as they become available.