Pope Leo XIV needs no further treatment after lung surgery

Pope Leo XIV, 71, does not need further treatment after surgery to remove a cancerous growth from his right lung, his doctors said. An oncological assessment found no additional therapy was required and tests confirmed a localised lung adenocarcinoma, the Vatican said. The pontiff left Rome’s Gemelli Hospital over the weekend, four days after the operation on 13 October.

What did the Pope’s doctors conclude?

In a statement shared by the Vatican, the pontiff’s doctors said: “A subsequent oncological assessment has confirmed that no further treatment is necessary.” Tissue removed during surgery was tested and confirmed the lung adenocarcinoma diagnosis given before the operation, and that the disease was localised.

When did the surgery take place and what was removed?

The operation to remove a growth from his lung was carried out on 13 October, lasted 90 minutes and included the removal of the lower lobe of the Pope’s right lung.

What did Pope Leo XIV say before the operation?

Leo XIV announced the procedure himself during his weekly Sunday prayers, telling people gathered in St Peter’s Square that doctors had found a nodule on his lung. He said at the time that it had been caught “at an early stage”.

Has the Pope appeared in public since leaving hospital?

Pope Leo XIV was discharged over the weekend, four days after the surgery, and stopped to speak to well-wishers as he left the hospital grounds. On Wednesday he held his first weekly general audience since the operation, in St Peter’s Square, continuing his recovery after lung surgery. Images released on the Friday after the operation showed him celebrating Mass from the hospital in green vestments, standing behind a makeshift altar.

Who did the Pope speak to by phone from hospital?

The Vatican said that on that Friday the Pope called Russian President Vladimir Putin to urge a ceasefire in the blockaded Russian-occupied city of Oleshky, in Ukraine, so that food aid could be delivered, and to call for “dialogue and peace”. He held a similar call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday.

What is the timeline of the Pope’s treatment and recovery?

• 13 October: a 90-minute operation removes the lower lobe of the Pope’s right lung.
• Four days later: discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.
• The Friday after the operation: the Vatican says he called Vladimir Putin; images show him celebrating Mass in hospital.
• Wednesday: first weekly general audience since the operation, in St Peter’s Square.

Is the Latin America trip still planned?

People close to Pope Leo XIV have previously said he was keen not to delay a trip to Latin America planned for early November.

Frequently asked questions

Does Pope Leo XIV need further treatment after his lung surgery?

No. A statement shared by the Vatican said an oncological assessment had confirmed that no further treatment is necessary after the operation.

What type of cancer did Pope Leo XIV have?

A lung adenocarcinoma. Tests on tissue removed during the 90-minute operation on 13 October confirmed the diagnosis and showed the disease was localised.

When did Pope Leo XIV leave hospital?

He was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital over the weekend, four days after the surgery, and stopped to speak to well-wishers as he left the grounds.

Is the Pope still travelling to Latin America in November?

People close to Pope Leo XIV have said he was keen not to delay a trip to Latin America planned for early November.

With reporting from BBC News.

Stock image, not from the events described. City Skyline — Joe deSousa / Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0)