Pope Leo XIV will not require any further medical treatment following his recent lung cancer surgery, as post-operative evaluations confirmed that the disease was localized, his medical team announced on Wednesday.
The update was released in a joint statement by the pontiff's physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, and his surgeon, Dr. Stefano Margaritora. The doctors confirmed that subsequent oncological testing showed the localized tumor was fully addressed during the procedure, stating, "A subsequent oncological evaluation has confirmed that no further therapy is required."
The 71-year-old pope was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer, after being admitted to a hospital in Rome last week. While the hospital visit was initially disclosed as an operation to remove a lung nodule, surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung during a procedure that lasted approximately 90 minutes.
Dr. Margaritora revealed in an interview with Vatican News published over the weekend that the detection of the malignant tumor was "entirely accidental." The spot was identified at the base of the lung during a routine medical examination, with the surgeon noting that it would have remained undetected had it been located even slightly higher up.
"The Holy Father falls into the category of people who discover they have lung cancer entirely by chance – not because they are undergoing preventive screening, but because they undergo examinations for other reasons," Dr. Margaritora told Vatican News.
Four days after the operation, Pope Leo XIV was discharged from the hospital on Saturday and was met by a large cheering crowd. The following day, he led his traditional Sunday noon prayer at the Vatican, offering gratitude to hospital staff for their care and to the faithful for their prayers.
"This experience has made me feel particularly close to all those who are living with illness or infirmity," the pope said. "Now that I have overcome this delicate phase, as you know, I will gradually resume my activities, always with God's help and your prayers."
Continuing his recovery at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV conducted his weekly general audience on Wednesday. Waving to the large crowd assembled in St. Peter's Square from the popemobile, he blessed children who were brought up to him. According to Vatican officials, the pope remains scheduled to travel to South America in early November.
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Md. Kazi Bijoy is a dedicated tech enthusiast and content creator with a passion for digital innovation. With years of experience in the tech industry, he specializes in breaking down complex topics into easy-to-understand guides. When he isn’t writing, he explores the latest gadgets and researches emerging trends in the digital world.