Health · Healthcare & Policy · 1 hr ago
Pope Leo's lung cancer was localized, and no further treatment is needed
Pope Leo XIV returned to a public audience at the Vatican on Wednesday, eight days after lung surgery.
Surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung on October 13 after diagnosing lung adenocarcinoma, a common type of lung cancer.
Tests on the removed tissue confirmed the cancer was localized and had not spread.
Doctors said he needs no further cancer treatment, based on a later oncology assessment.
The diagnosis had raised questions about the future of his papacy, and Leo has said he will gradually resume his duties as leader of the world's Catholics.
The Vatican has not confirmed his schedule beyond Wednesday, and his planned November visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru remains uncertain.
His lead surgeon said he could recover in time for the trip, while the Vatican's secretary of state said he may need to adjust his pace.
Pope Leo’s doctors said final tissue and molecular tests confirmed that his lung cancer was localized and that he needs no further treatment.
The tests confirmed a diagnosis of pulmonary adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer.
Leo had the lower lobe of his right lung removed in surgery on October 13.
On Wednesday, he returned to St. Peter’s Square for his first general audience since the surgery.
His planned November visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru remains uncertain.
- Who
- Pope Leo and his doctors, surgeon Stefano Margaritora and personal physician Luigi Carbone.
- What
- Tests confirmed the lung cancer was localized, and doctors said no further treatment is needed.
- When
- The doctors announced the results on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
- Where
- The announcement was made in a Vatican statement. Leo had surgery at Rome’s Gemelli hospital.
- Why
- Tissue and molecular tests on material removed during surgery confirmed the diagnosis and showed the disease had not spread.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Leo underwent surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung.
Leo said he would slowly resume his duties as leader of the world’s Catholics.
Leo returned to St. Peter’s Square for his first general audience since surgery.
The Vatican said final test results showed the cancer was localized and no further treatment was needed.
- Diagnosis
- Pulmonary adenocarcinoma
- Surgery date
- October 13, 2026
- Surgery
- Lower lobe of the right lung removed
- Doctors
- Stefano Margaritora and Luigi Carbone
- Test findings
- Cancer was localized; no further therapy required
- Planned trip
- Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, November 6–17
6 sources
Pope does not need further treatment after lung cancer surgery
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What people are saying
A subsequent oncological evaluation has confirmed that no further therapy is required.
The first thing I want to say to you is thank you for the support and prayers.
I would say there are no clinical reasons why this visit should not take place.