Pope Leo XIV Cleared of Needing Further Cancer Treatment
Doctors confirm no additional treatment is required following surgery to remove a localized lung tumor.
Pope Leo XIV has been cleared of requiring further treatment after undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous growth from his lung, his physicians announced. Test results from tissue removed during the operation confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma that was localized, according to a statement released by the Vatican.
"A subsequent oncological assessment has confirmed that no further treatment is necessary," the statement read.
The 71-year-old pontiff was discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital over the weekend, four days after the procedure. He briefly spoke to well-wishers as he departed the hospital grounds.
The surgery, which took place on October 13 and lasted 90 minutes, involved the removal of the lower lobe of the Pope's right lung. The pontiff had previously announced the upcoming procedure himself during his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square, stating that doctors had found a nodule on his lung that had been caught "at an early stage."
In the days following his operation, images showed the Pope celebrating Mass from his hospital room. The Vatican also reported that he had spoken by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin to urge a ceasefire in the blockaded Ukrainian city of Oleshky to allow for the delivery of food aid. He also had a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Sources close to the Pope have indicated he is eager to proceed with a planned trip to Latin America in early November.