Vatican confirms Pope Leo XIV needs no further treatment for lung cancer

Pope Leo XIV will not need any additional cancer treatment following the surgery he underwent on October 13, the Vatican press office reported Wednesday, releasing the final results of tests on the removed tissue.

The bulletin, signed by the pontiff's personal physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, and the head of the surgical team, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, says the final histological reports and molecular biology analyses confirmed it was a localized pulmonary adenocarcinoma. "A subsequent oncological evaluation confirmed that no additional therapy is required," the statement concludes.

Leo XIV, 71, announced on October 11 that he needed surgery for a nodule detected in his lung and was operated on two days later at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, where surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung. He was discharged on October 17 in "absolutely satisfactory" clinical condition, his doctors said at the time.

The next day, the pontiff reappeared on the balcony of the Apostolic Palace to lead the Sunday Angelus, his first public appearance since the diagnosis. "This experience has given me a profound sense of closeness with all those going through illness or a state of weakness," he told the faithful. On Wednesday he resumed his traditional general audience in St. Peter's Square, which had been suspended last week.

Pulmonary adenocarcinoma accounts for about 40% of all lung cancer cases, progresses slowly and usually affects non-smokers, CNN explained. The news comes ahead of the pontiff's planned trip to South America next month, with stops in Peru, Uruguay and Argentina.

Photo: Cultura Colectiva

Source: CNN