Pope Leo XIV’s lung cancer surgery last week was successful and no further treatment is needed, the Vatican press office said in a statement Wednesday.
“The final histological reports and molecular biology analyzes of the tissues removed during the Holy Father’s surgery are completed today,” said Dr. Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora, who treated the pope.
“The results confirmed that it was a lung adenocarcinoma and that the disease was localized. Subsequent oncological evaluation confirmed that no further treatment is necessary,” the bulletin added.
Lung adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for approximately 40% of all cases. It progresses slowly and often affects non-smokers.
Leo’s Oct. 11 announcement that he needed surgery for a “nodule” on his lung came as a shock both inside and outside the Vatican, given the pope’s penchant for clean living. After a short stay in a hospital in Rome, where doctors removed the lobe of his left lung, Leo returned home on October 17.
The next day, he made his first public appearance since his diagnosis, leading the Sunday Angelus from the balcony of the Apostolic Palace.
“This experience gave me a deep feeling of closeness to all those who are going through an illness or a state of infirmity,” he declared to the faithful.
The green light comes ahead of the pontiff’s planned trip to South America next month. News that the pope was suffering from cancer complicated travel plans, which were expected to include stops in Peru, Uruguay and Argentina and require at least 14 flights.
Although the Vatican has not officially confirmed the pope’s travel plans, Margaritora told Vatican News that he saw “no clinical reason” to cancel the trip.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Gn world
