Pope Leo XIV needs no further treatment after lung cancer surgery
Pope Leo XIV, 71, requires no further cancer treatment following surgery to remove his right lower lung lobe on October 13, doctors confirm.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Pope Leo XIV requires no further cancer treatment after a recent medical evaluation
- Tissue test results confirm a localized lung adenocarcinoma diagnosis
- Discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital after a 90-minute surgical procedure
- Returned to public duties at St Peter's Square following hospital discharge
Pope Leo XIV does not require any further medical treatment following a surgical procedure to remove a cancerous growth from his lung, according to official statements released by his doctors and the Vatican.
Laboratory test results on the tissue removed during the operation confirmed that the pontiff had been suffering from a lung adenocarcinoma, matching the initial diagnosis, and established that the disease remained localized to the area. A subsequent oncological assessment officially confirmed that no additional therapeutic interventions are necessary.
The 71-year-old pontiff was discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital over the weekend, just four days after undergoing the operation. The surgery, performed on October 13, lasted for 90 minutes and involved the successful removal of the lower lobe of the Pope's right lung. Upon leaving the hospital grounds, he paused briefly to speak with well-wishers and supporters gathered outside.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
The medical intervention followed an announcement made by the Pope himself during his weekly Sunday prayers, where he informed the faithful gathered in St Peter's Square that physicians had discovered a nodule on his lung and that it had been caught at an early stage.
"A subsequent oncological assessment has confirmed that no further treatment is necessary."
Vatican Statement
Following his hospital discharge, the pontiff hosted his first weekly general audience at St Peter's Square on Wednesday, resuming his regular public schedule in front of gathered crowds.
Lung adenocarcinoma is the most common histological subtype of non-small cell lung cancer, typically originating in peripheral lung tissue. Detecting such growths at an early, localized stage significantly improves prognosis and often eliminates the need for adjuvant treatments like chemotherapy or radiation therapy following surgical resection, aligning with the Vatican's medical updates.
Days after the surgery, images released by the Vatican showed the Pope celebrating Mass from the hospital while wearing green vestments and standing behind a makeshift altar. On the same day, the Vatican announced he spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin to urge a ceasefire in the occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky to facilitate food aid delivery, while advocating for dialogue and peace. The pontiff held a similar telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday.
Source: BBC Health
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