Pope Leo XIV's doctors said no further treatment is necessary following the pontiff's surgery for lung cancer, according to a Vatican statement.
"The results confirmed that the tumor was a pulmonary adenocarcinoma and that the disease was localized," Dr. Luigi Carbone and Prof. Stefano Margaritora said in the statement. "A subsequent oncological evaluation confirmed that no further treatment is necessary."
Leo XIV was diagnosed with lung cancer and underwent surgery on Oct. 13 to have the lower lobe of his right lung removed, the Vatican said last week.
Pope Leo XIV waves to the crowd during the weekly general audience at St Peter's Square in The Vatican, Oct. 21, 2026.
Tiziana Fabi/AFP via Getty Images
The pontiff underwent a minimally invasive camera-guided surgical procedure. He was in the operating room for about three hours with the surgery itself lasting approximately 90 minutes, Carbone and Margaritora said at the time. The surgery was successful and there were no complications, they added.
Leo's recovery was expected to last about a week, the Vatican said at the time
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The pope was discharged from Rome's Agostino Gemelli University Hospital on Saturday afternoon and returned to the Vatican.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.