Pope Leo XIV needs no further treatment after lung surgery

Pope Leo XIV’s doctors say he does not need further treatment after an operation to remove a cancerous growth from his right lung. BBC News reported on 21 October that a medical statement shared by the Vatican said tests on the removed tissue confirmed localised lung adenocarcinoma, consistent with the initial diagnosis.

A subsequent assessment by cancer specialists found that additional treatment was unnecessary. The 71-year-old pontiff returned to St Peter’s Square on Wednesday for his first weekly general audience since leaving hospital.

Surgery and return to public duties

The operation at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on 13 October lasted 90 minutes and involved removing the lower lobe of his right lung. He was discharged four days later, over the weekend, and spoke with well-wishers as he left.

Leo had announced the planned procedure during his Sunday prayers, telling those gathered in St Peter’s Square that doctors had detected a lung nodule. He said the finding had come at an early stage.

Images released on Friday after the operation showed him celebrating Mass inside the hospital, wearing green vestments behind a temporary altar.

Diplomatic calls continued during recovery

The Vatican said on Friday that Leo had spoken by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He urged a ceasefire in Oleshky, the blockaded Ukrainian city under Russian occupation, to enable food aid deliveries, and appealed for dialogue and peace.

He held a similar telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday. People close to the pontiff had also previously said he hoped to avoid postponing a Latin America trip planned for early November.