Pope Leo’s doctors issue health update after lung cancer surgery
Por Alvise Armellini — – World RSS Feed
Pope Leo’s doctors issue health update after lung cancer surgery
Pope Leo underwent lung cancer surgery last week
Alvise Armellini Wednesday 21 October 2026 20:28 BST
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Pope Leo will not require further therapy following lung cancer surgery last week, his doctors have confirmed, after tests indicated his tumour had not spread.
Conclusive histological examinations and molecular biology analyses of the removed tissue verified the diagnosis, showing the disease had remained localised, according to a Vatican statement.
“A subsequent oncological evaluation has confirmed that no further therapy is required,” the pope’s lead surgeon, Stefano Margaritora, and his personal physician, Luigi Carbone, said.
The announcement comes as it remains unclear if the US-born pope will proceed with a planned trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from 6-17 November.
The 71-year-old pontiff underwent surgery on 13 October to remove the lower lobe of his right lung after being diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer.
Leo left hospital on Saturday and is steadily resuming normal duties, returning to St Peter’s Square on Wednesday for his weekly audience with pilgrims, just eight days after undergoing surgery following his cancer diagnosis.
Margaritora noted last week there were “no clinical reasons” preventing the pope from travelling to South America, but the Vatican’s secretary of state indicated the pontiff may need to adjust his schedule’s pace to aid recovery.
On Sunday, he had pledged to slowly resume his duties as leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
Wednesday’s audience, the first held by the pope since October 7, followed a normal format. Crowds began gathering hours ahead of the 9.45am (0745 GMT) start time, holding umbrellas under drizzling grey skies.
“The first thing I want to say to you is thank you for the support and prayers,” Leo told the crowds in his opening remarks for the 50-minute event, without specifically mentioning his health.
“Thanks be to God for his generosity,” said the pope, speaking in a clear voice as cheers broke out in the Square. “Let’s renew our trust in the goodness and mercy of God.”
After touring the Square on Wednesday, Leo offered a sermon in Italian. In the only major change from previous occasions, he gave brief greetings afterwards in seven instead of nine other languages.
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VaticanPope Leo XIVlung cancer
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