Pope Leo XIV's lung cancer surgery confirmed no further treatment is necessary, according to medical assessments. The procedure involved the removal of a lung nodule, and follow-up tests showed the cancer was localized. The pope, 71, was discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital after four days and is expected to resume activities.
The surgery, which took place on October 13, removed the lower lobe of the pope's right lung. The nodule was found during a routine abdominal examination and was not causing symptoms. Doctors confirmed the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer, and that the disease was localized. The pope has since made a strong public appearance and has continued his duties.
The Vatican stated that no further treatment is necessary, as the cancer has not spread. The pope's next major engagement is a trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 6 to 17. Doctors have confirmed that the trip is feasible without any clinical reasons preventing it. The pope's transparency in disclosing the nodule during a public blessing has raised awareness about health issues in the papal household.
The pope's surgery and subsequent tests have confirmed that the cancer is localized and that no further treatment is required. The Vatican has emphasized that the cancer was detected incidentally during a routine examination and that the surgery was successful in removing the nodule. The pope's health has been a topic of public interest, and the transparency in his disclosure has been noted as a significant moment in the papal health history.