Pope Leo XIV Declared Cancer-Free After Follow-Up Tests

Pope Leo XIV, 71, was reported on Wednesday to need no further treatment for lung cancer after follow-up examinations showed the disease had not spread. The pontiff underwent removal of the lower lobe of his right lung last week, a procedure that confirmed the presence of adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer. He left the hospital four days after surgery, earlier than the week-long stay initially expected.

"A subsequent oncology assessment confirmed that no further treatment is necessary," said Dr. Luigi Carbone, the pope's personal physician, and Dr. Stefano Margaritora, the surgeon who performed the operation.

The doctors added that final post-operative tests on the removed tissue verified the initial diagnosis and that the cancer remained localized. They noted that additional therapy is only considered when follow-up testing shows spread or aggressive features, which was not the case here.

According to Dr. Margaritora, the lung nodule was discovered incidentally during routine abdominal examinations, an early detection that allowed surgery to be curative. The pope continued his duties while hospitalized, including a telephone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and has since appeared at two public events: the traditional Sunday blessing from a window overlooking St. Peter's Square and a longer audience on Wednesday.

His next major engagement is a planned trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from Nov. 6-17. Dr. Margaritora told Vatican News there is "no clinical reason" to cancel the journey, despite its demanding travel schedule.