VATICAN CITY — The tumor removed from Pope Leo XIV’s lung was localized, and he will not require any further treatment, Vatican News reported Oct. 21.
Doctors at Rome’s Gemelli hospital removed the lower lobe of his right lung Oct. 13 after medical tests detected a suspicious growth that was later confirmed to be cancerous. The tissue was diagnosed as adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer that develops in glandular cells.
But the pontiff returned quickly to work.
Pope Leo appeared at the window of the study of the apostolic palace for the traditional Angelus address Oct. 18 after being discharged from the hospital late afternoon Oct. 17 — earlier than expected. The Vatican press office had told reporters that the pope was expected to remain hospitalized for about seven days and that all public events would be canceled through Oct. 20.
During his first full day back at the Vatican after surgery, Pope Leo thanked everyone who prayed for him.
“I have truly felt your support,” he said to applause after praying the Angelus with those gathered in St. Peter’s Square Oct. 18.
He said, “I am especially grateful to the doctors, nurses and all the staff.”
Speaking in his usual forceful and clear voice, the 71-year-old pope said, “Now that I have gotten through this delicate phase, as you know, I will gradually resume my activities, always with God’s help and your prayers,” he said to applause.
Dr. Stefano Margaritora, the thoracic surgeon who operated on the pope, said, “It takes a couple of weeks to make a truly complete physical recovery.”
Asked about Pope Leo’s scheduled trans-Atlantic trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru Nov. 6 to 17, Dr. Margaritora told Vatican News that there are “no clinical reasons why it should not take place.”
The Vatican has not announced any plans to cancel the trip.
Dr. Margaritora said the pope’s malignant lung tumor was caught entirely by accident during a routine examination, “as is frequently the situation” in these cases.
Lung cancer, in its early stages, causes no symptoms, he said.
This just goes to show how important prevention is, the doctor said. Therefore, people, especially those at risk, should undergo regular preventative checkups not only for breast or colon cancers, “but also for lung cancer.”
