In brief
Pope Leo XIV has been cleared from any further cancer treatment after a successful lung tumour removal. The 71‑year‑old returned to St Peter’s Square for his first regular audience after surgery and expressed hope for peace between Russia and Ukraine. The operation, completed early October, involved removing the lower lobe of his right lung and confirmed the cancer was localized and fully excised. Vatican officials noted no further oncological steps are required. The pope’s swift recovery has prompted calls for his upcoming Latin American tour in November.
Pope Leo XIV does not require further treatment following an operation to remove a cancerous growth from his lung, his doctors have said.
Test results on tissue removed during surgery confirmed he had a lung adenocarcinoma, and the disease was localized, according to a Vatican statement.
“A subsequent oncological assessment has confirmed that no further treatment is necessary,” it added.
The 71‑year‑old was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital over the weekend, four days after the operation, stopping to speak to well‑wishers as he left the grounds.
He held his first weekly general audience since leaving hospital at St Peter’s Square on Wednesday.
The surgery, performed on 13 October and lasting 90 minutes, involved the removal of the lower lobe of the pope’s right lung.
The pontiff announced during his Sunday prayers that he would be undergoing the procedure, explaining that doctors found a nodule on his lung ‘caught at an early stage.’
Images shared after the operation showed the pope celebrating Mass in hospital, wearing green vestments and standing behind a makeshift altar.
On the same day, the Vatican noted the pope spoke by phone to Russian President Vladimir Putin to urge a ceasefire in the blockaded city of Oleshky, calling for dialogue and peace. He also had a similar call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday.
Those close to the pope have stated he is keen not to delay an upcoming trip to Latin America planned for early November.
