Pope Leo Needs No Further Treatment After Cancer Surgery, Doctors Say

Pope Leo XIV, the leader of the Catholic Church, needs no further treatment for lung cancer after follow-up checks confirmed the disease had not spread following his recent surgery, his doctors have said.

In a Vatican statement on Wednesday, the pope's lead surgeon, Stefano Margaritora, and his personal physician, Luigi Carbone, said: 'A subsequent oncological evaluation has confirmed that no further therapy is required.'

The 71-year-old pontiff had the lower lobe of his right lung surgically removed on October 13. He was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer.

Leo was discharged from Rome's Gemelli Polyclinic on Saturday, four days after his operation, and the Vatican said he would gradually resume his activities. On Wednesday, he returned to St Peter's Square for his weekly audience with pilgrims.

According to doctors, additional treatment is generally offered when follow-up testing finds signs that the cancer has spread, such as through the lymph nodes, or if other signs indicate it might be particularly aggressive. When tumours are caught very early, as the Catholic leader's appears to have been, surgery alone can often be enough.

In an interview with Vatican News on Saturday, Margaritora, the chief thoracic surgeon at Rome's Gemelli hospital, confirmed that the nodule was found by chance during routine abdominal examinations, and that the pope had not been experiencing any symptoms.

The pope carried on his official business while in hospital, including a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He has appeared strong in two public appearances at the Vatican since his surgery: the traditional Sunday blessing from a window overlooking St Peter's Square and Wednesday's longer audience in the square, greeting the faithful from around the world.

'Thank you! Thank you for the support of your prayers,' Leo exclaimed to the audience.

The Catholic leader also remains committed to his November 6–17 trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. His lead surgeon told Vatican News there was 'no clinical reason' to prevent the trip, which includes a dozen flights, two helicopter rides and high-altitude stops.

The doctors' announcement has brought relief to Catholics around the world. The pope's swift return to public life after surgery, and his preparations for the South America trip, suggest Leo is firmly on the road to recovery.