Pope Leo XIV will not undergo additional treatment for lung cancer after doctors confirmed that surgery had successfully removed the affected tissue, the Vatican has announced.
The Vatican press office disclosed the development in a medical update on Wednesday, following laboratory examinations of tissue removed during the pontiff’s operation last week.
The final tests confirmed that the Pope had localised pulmonary adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer. The medical team subsequently determined that no further cancer therapy was necessary.
Leo had announced on October 11 that he needed surgery to remove a lung nodule, raising concerns about his health. Surgeons later removed the affected lobe of his left lung during his hospital stay in Rome.
The pontiff was discharged on October 17 and returned to public duties the following day, leading the traditional Angelus prayer from the balcony of the Apostolic Palace.
He also spoke about feeling closer to people battling illnesses following his experience.
Although further treatment is not required at present, medical experts say continued monitoring will be important.
Follow-up scans may be conducted periodically to check for any recurrence, while respiratory physiotherapy could help restore breathing capacity after surgery.
The Vatican’s announcement comes ahead of the Pope’s planned trip to South America next month, with Peru, Uruguay and Argentina among the expected destinations.
The Vatican has yet to officially confirm whether the visit will proceed, although the surgeon who led the operation reportedly said there were no clinical reasons to cancel it.
The latest medical update offers reassurance about the pontiff’s recovery, although continued medical follow-up is expected.
Doctors may also recommend precautions during long-distance travel to reduce the risk of blood clots and respiratory infections.
