Pope Leo XIV will not require additional cancer treatment following surgery to remove a tumour from his right lung, his medical team has announced.
The Vatican said the 71-year-old pontiff’s latest medical assessments confirmed that the cancer had remained localised, with no indication that the disease had spread beyond the affected area.
Leo underwent surgery on October 13, during which doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung.
He was subsequently diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer.
According to a statement released by the Vatican, laboratory examinations of the removed tissue and molecular biology analyses confirmed the diagnosis.
The pope’s lead surgeon, Stefano Margaritora, and personal physician, Luigi Carbone, said, “A subsequent oncological evaluation has confirmed that no further therapy is required.”
The development comes as the pontiff gradually returns to his official duties following his discharge from hospital on Saturday.
On Wednesday, he attended his weekly audience with pilgrims in St Peter’s Square, marking another step in his recovery.
While receiving treatment in hospital, Leo continued to handle some official responsibilities.
These included a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin last Friday, during which he urged him to declare a ceasefire in Oleshky, a Ukrainian city occupied by Russian forces.
Addressing worshippers at St Peter’s Square last Sunday, the pope said he would “gradually resume” his activities.
He also expressed gratitude to those who had prayed for his recovery, saying the experience had brought him closer to people facing illness and physical weakness.
Despite the positive medical assessment, uncertainty remains over whether Leo will undertake his planned visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17.
Margaritora said last week that there were “no clinical reasons” preventing the pope from travelling to South America.
However, the Vatican’s secretary of state suggested that adjustments to the pontiff’s schedule might be necessary to support his recovery.
Before his diagnosis, Leo was generally considered to be in good health and enjoyed sporting activities, including tennis.
He also regularly visited the papal retreat at Castel Gandolfo, near Rome.
Leo became the first US-born leader of the Roman Catholic Church in May 2025.
