Pope Leo XIV needs no further treatment after lung cancer surgery, Vatican says

Surgery and final results

Doctors at the Gemelli polyclinic in Rome removed the lower lobe of Pope Leo XIV's right lung on Tuesday, 13 October, in an operation lasting 90 minutes that used a video-assisted technique. The thoracic surgery team was led by Professor Stefano Margaritora, who said the histological examination carried out during the procedure confirmed the diagnosis suspected from pre-operative tests. The Holy See press office described the operation as successful and carried out within the planned time and in the planned manner.

No further treatment

On Wednesday, 21 October, doctors Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora issued a joint statement on the definitive results. Final histological and molecular biology tests on the removed tissue confirmed a lung adenocarcinoma and found that the disease was localised. Following a subsequent oncological assessment, the doctors concluded that no additional therapy is necessary, a finding the Holy See press office passed on. The pope had been discharged from hospital four days before his appearance at the general audience.

Back in St Peter's Square

On Wednesday, 21 October, eight days after the operation, Leo XIV rode the popemobile through St Peter's Square before his general audience. The vehicle is open at the sides but has a roof to shelter the pontiff from the rain, and the square was full even though torrential rain fell shortly before the audience began. The popemobile stopped whenever there were children to bless, and the pope greeted the faithful with his arms raised. Adnkronos reported loud applause as he passed through the crowd. In his opening remarks he thanked people for their support and prayers.

The first thing I would like to say to you is thank you for the support and the prayers, thank God for his infinite goodness.

Medical advice on recovery

Claudio Micheletto, head of the pneumology unit at the Azienda ospedaliera universitaria di Verona, spoke to Adnkronos Salute about recovery after lung surgery. He said that rest and caution are important after such an operation, and that strain and imprudent behaviour should be avoided. Because the operation involved the chest, he advised avoiding sudden changes in air and the cold, which he described as precautions dictated by common sense. Micheletto was not named among the doctors who treated the pope.

Catechesis and greetings

During the audience, the pope continued his cycle of reflections on the documents of the Second Vatican Council, focusing on the teaching of Gaudium et spes on the conjugal and family community. Europa Press reported that he described conjugal love as encompassing the whole will of the spouses, not only physical attraction, and that he spoke against abortion. Earlier in the audience he thanked the organisers and performers of the concert Salmi di Pace, held for the 45th anniversary of the Fondazione Vaticana Giovanni Paolo II, and said the event should encourage purposes of peace and reconciliation. The audience ended with the pope leading the singing of the Our Father, after which he greeted cardinals and the people admitted to the so-called baciamano.