Vatican Announces Pope Leo XIV Requires No Further Cancer Treatment

The Vatican press office reported Wednesday that Pope Leo XIV's recent lung cancer surgery was successful and that further treatment is not required. > "The final histological reports and molecular biology analyses of the tissue removed during the Holy Father's surgery have been completed today," said Dr. Luigi Carbone and Dr. Stefano Margaritora, who performed the operation. > "The results have confirmed that the condition was a pulmonary adenocarcinoma and that the disease was localized. A subsequent oncological evaluation has confirmed that no further therapy is required," the bulletin added.

Pulmonary adenocarcinoma, which accounts for about 40% of lung cancer cases, is a relatively slow-growing form that often affects non-smokers. Pope Leo XIV announced on October 11 that he would undergo surgery for a lung nodule and was hospitalized in Rome, where doctors removed the left lung lobe. He returned to the Vatican on October 17 and the following day led the Angelus from the Apostolic Palace balcony.

The all-clear comes ahead of a planned trip to South America next month, which was previously uncertain due to the diagnosis. While the Vatican has not formally confirmed the itinerary, Dr. Margaritora told Vatican News that he sees "no clinical reasons" to cancel the journey.