Pope Leo XIV has been cleared to resume all duties after doctors confirmed no further cancer treatment is required following surgery to remove a localized lung tumor. The 71-year-old pontiff, who underwent the procedure on October 13, returned to public engagements on October 21 for his first general audience since the operation.
Doctors confirm no further treatment needed
The Vatican announced on October 21 that final test results confirmed the removed tumor was a localized lung adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer. Dr. Luigi Carbone and Prof. Stefano Margaritora, the pope’s medical team, stated in a joint statement: “A subsequent oncological assessment has confirmed that no further therapy is required.” The assessment followed histological and molecular biology analyses of the tissue removed during the 90-minute minimally invasive surgery.
Pope resumes public duties ahead of planned trip
Pope Leo was discharged from Rome’s Agostino Gemelli University Hospital on October 17, four days after the operation. He marked his return to public life on October 21 by leading the weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square, where he waved to pilgrims from a popemobile and delivered remarks without directly referencing his health. The Vatican confirmed he would gradually resume his duties, including a previously scheduled visit to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 6 to 17.
The pope had announced his surgery on October 11, revealing that doctors had detected a nodule during a routine examination. The procedure involved removing the lower lobe of his right lung, with no complications reported. Images released by the Vatican showed the pope celebrating Mass from the hospital on October 16, wearing green vestments.
International outreach continues during recovery
During his recovery, Pope Leo engaged in diplomatic efforts, including phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on October 15 and 16, respectively. According to the Vatican, he urged both leaders to facilitate a ceasefire in the besieged Ukrainian city of Oleshky to allow food aid delivery and called for “dialogue and peace.”
Reaction and context
The pope’s diagnosis and surgery drew global attention, given his role as leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. His election in May 2025 as the first U.S. pope made his health a particular point of interest. The Vatican emphasized the early detection of the cancer, with the pope stating on October 11 that the growth had been caught “at an early stage.”
Medical experts noted that lung adenocarcinoma, while the most common form of lung cancer, has a relatively high survival rate when detected early and treated surgically. The pope’s medical team did not specify the stage of the cancer beyond confirming it was localized, but their assessment indicated no need for additional interventions such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Pope Leo’s return to public life follows a week of recovery and marks a significant milestone in his papacy, which began less than two years ago. His upcoming trip to Latin America, where he previously lived for two decades, remains on schedule.