Pope Leo XIV will need no further cancer treatment, Vatican doctors say
Tests on tissue removed during the pope's October 13 surgery confirmed a localized lung adenocarcinoma that had not spread, and doctors said no additional treatment is required
Histological tests on the tissue removed during Pope Leo XIV's October 13 surgery confirmed that the tumor was localized.
Dr. Luigi Carbone, director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Governorate of Vatican City State, and Dr. Stefano Margaritora, the surgeon who operated on the pope, said on the evening of Wednesday, October 21 that the final reports had been issued. The reports covered histological tests and molecular biology studies on the material removed during the October 13 operation.
The results confirmed a localized lung adenocarcinoma that had not spread to other areas. A follow-up oncological evaluation determined that Leo XIV needs no further treatment after the surgery.
The pope was discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital on October 17 and returned to the Vatican. With no additional therapy required, he can continue his pastoral work without further cancer treatment.
The operation lasted 90 minutes. Surgeons removed the lower lobe of the right lung using a video-assisted technique.
