Doctors Clear Pope Leo for Recovery After Successful Lung Surgery

Pope Leo XIV will require no further medical treatment after final pathology reports confirmed that his recent lung cancer surgery successfully removed a localized tumor, his physicians announced on Wednesday.

The Vatican press office released a bulletin detailing the findings from Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora following the procedure performed earlier this month at Rome's Gemelli Hospital.

The medical update arrives as the 71-year-old pontiff resumes his public schedule, having returned to the Vatican on Saturday after a brief hospital stay.

“The final histopathology and molecular testing reports on the tissue removed during the Holy Father’s surgery were issued today,” said the doctors in their written statement.

“The results confirmed that the tumor was a lung adenocarcinoma and that the disease was localized. A subsequent oncological assessment has confirmed that no further treatment is necessary,” they added.

Pulmonary adenocarcinoma represents the most prevalent form of lung cancer, accounting for approximately 40 percent of all diagnoses.

The condition tends to progress slowly and frequently develops in nonsmokers, according to medical literature.

Pope Leo first disclosed his diagnosis on October 11, telling crowds that doctors had detected a lung nodule at an early stage.

Surgeons operated on October 13, removing the lower lobe of the pope's right lung during a procedure that lasted about 90 minutes inside the operating room.

Following his discharge, the pontiff appeared before crowds at St. Peter's Square on Wednesday to hold his first weekly general audience since leaving the hospital.

“This experience has made me feel particularly close to all those who are experiencing illness and a condition of frailty,” the pope said to well-wishers.

The medical all-clear also removes a major obstacle for the pontiff's upcoming international travel plans.

Pope Leo is still scheduled to depart on November 6 for a demanding 12-day journey to South America that includes stops in Peru, Uruguay and Argentina.

Margaritora previously told Vatican News that he saw no clinical reasons to cancel the trip.