Pope won’t require further treatment for lung cancer – Vatican

Pope Leo XIV has been informed that he will not require additional medical treatment for his lung cancer, following a successful surgery to remove the cancerous tissue. This conclusion was reached after final histological reports and molecular biology analyses were completed on the tissue removed during the pontiff's surgery last week.

The Vatican press office disclosed these findings in a medical bulletin on Wednesday, confirming that the disease was a localized pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Pulmonary adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer and can often affect non-smokers, developing relatively slowly. Pope Leo underwent surgery on October 11 after discovering a lung nodule, leading to concern both within and outside the Vatican.

He was discharged from the hospital on October 17 and publicly appeared for the first time since the diagnosis on October 18, leading the Sunday Angelus prayer from the Apostolic Palace balcony. Pope Leo's brother is also battling cancer. Following the surgery, the pontiff made a faster recovery than typically expected, according to Dr. Juanita Mora, a national medical spokesperson for the American Lung Association.

Mora stated that the pontiff will likely continue undergoing follow-up CT scans every three to six months during the first few years, with annual checks to detect any possible recurrence. The Vatican's announcement precedes the pope's scheduled South American trip next month, which would include stops in Peru, Uruguay, and Argentina, requiring at least 14 flights.

While the Vatican has not confirmed whether the trip will proceed, the surgeon who conducted the operation, Prof. Stefano Margaritora, stated there were no clinical reasons for canceling the journey. Mora recommended the pope walk during the trip to prevent blood clots associated with long flights and suggested that he receive COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus vaccines for added protection against respiratory infections.