In brief
Pope Leo XIV’s recent operation to remove a lung tumour has been declared complete. Doctors from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital say the cancer was an early‑stage adenocarcinoma confined to a single lobe and that no chemotherapy or radiation is required. The 71‑year‑old pontiff was discharged after four days and has already returned to his weekly general audience. The news comes as the Pope also talks to world leaders about peace in Ukraine and plans a Latin‑American trip in early November.
Pope Leo XIV’s operation to excise a cancerous growth from his right lung was uneventful and successful, doctors announced. The tissue analysis confirmed a localized lung adenocarcinoma, an early‑stage tumour limited to the removed lower lobe.
Gemelli Hospital officials said subsequent oncological assessment led to the conclusion that no further treatment—chemotherapy, radiation or additional surgery—is required. The pontiff, 71, was discharged on a Thursday after a four‑day stay and greeted well‑wishers upon leaving the campus.
He returned to St Peter’s Square for his first weekly general audience since the operation, with a devoted crowd eager to witness the healthy leader. The surgery, carried out on 13 October and lasting approximately 90 minutes, removed the entire lower lobe of his right lung.
During the Sunday Mass, the Pope announced the procedure and assured that the nodule had been detected at an early stage, reducing complications. Post‑surgery images showed him conducting Mass from a hospital sanctuary, wearing green vestments and standing behind a temporary altar.
The Vatican reported that the pontiff also used this period of recovery to encourage dialogue and peace in conflict zones, calling on President Vladimir Putin to allow aid into Oleshky and urging dialogue directly to President Volodymyr Zelensky. These calls underscore the Pope’s commitment to global harmony amidst his health challenges.
Sources close to the Pope say he still intends to embark on a Latin‑American trip in early November, demonstrating resilience and an unwavering sense of duty.
