Pope Leo XIV will not need any additional treatment after undergoing lung cancer surgery, his doctors said in a statement Wednesday. Test results confirmed that the pope’s cancer was localized, Dr. Luigi Carbone, the pope’s physician, and Dr. Stefano Margaritora, his surgeon, said in a statement. “Subsequent oncological evaluation has confirmed that no further therapy is required,” the doctors said. remove a lung nodule. The pontiff was diagnosed with the common cancer of lung adenocarcinoma and doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung during a procedure that lasted about 90 minutes. Pope Leo XIV greets the faithful during his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City on October 21, 2026. Massimo Valicchia/NurPhoto via Getty Images In an interview with Vatican News published over the weekend, Margaritora said the discovery of the malignant lung tumor was “completely accidental.” A small spot was found at the base of the lung during a routine examination, he said, adding that doctors would not have found it if it were located a little higher. “The Holy Father falls into the category of people who discover that they have lung cancer completely by chance, not because they undergo preventive examinations, but because they undergo examinations for other reasons,” Margaritora told Vatican News. On Saturday, four days after his surgery, the 71-year-old Pope left the hospital and was greeted by a large cheering crowd. He delivered his traditional Sunday prayer at noon at the Vatican, thanking the faithful for their prayers and the hospital staff for their care. “This experience has made me feel particularly close to all those who live with illness or disease,” Leo said. “Now that I have overcome this delicate phase, as you know, I will gradually resume my activities, always with the help of God and your prayers.” Leo continues his recovery in the Vatican and offered his usual general audience on Wednesday, greeting from the popemobile the large crowd of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square and blessing the children who approached him. The Pope is expected to travel to South America in early November, the Vatican said. Pope Leo XIV blesses a child during his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City, October 21, 2026. Simone Risoluti – Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images Anna Matranga contributed to this report. Pope Leo XIV: The First American Pope Go Deeper with The Free Press In:
