Pope Leo XIV needs no further lung cancer treatment, Vatican says
In short
The Vatican said on 21 October that Pope Leo XIV, 71, needs no further treatment after lung surgery, as tests showed his cancer had not spread. He is due to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from 6 to 17 November.
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Pope Leo XIV, 71, needs no further treatment for lung cancer, the Vatican said in a statement on 21 October, as reported by Newsis, Yonhap and Korea Economic Daily. Yonhap and Korea Economic Daily cited AP and AFP. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The pope's physician, Luigi Carbone, and the surgeon who operated on him, Stefano Margaritora, said that tissue removed during surgery showed the cancer had not spread. They said an oncological assessment confirmed that no further treatment is needed. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The pope had the lower lobe of his right lung removed on 13 October. Newsis said the operation took place at Rome's Gemelli hospital. A biopsy diagnosed lung adenocarcinoma, which Newsis described as the most common type of lung cancer. He was discharged on 17 October, four days after the operation, and is resuming activities gradually. Yonhap and Korea Economic Daily said he led a scheduled Mass in St Peter's Square on 18 October. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Steven Liu, a lung cancer specialist at Georgetown's Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, said that from the announcement the cancer appears to be stage 1, which responds very well to surgery and can be expected to be cured. Yonhap and Korea Economic Daily reported that he said the lack of a need for further treatment suggests the tumour is relatively small and has not spread to lymph nodes. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The documents differ on how the nodule was found. Newsis said it was found by chance in a routine abdominal exam and caused no symptoms, citing Margaritora's interview with Vatican News. Yonhap and Korea Economic Daily said it was found during a routine health check. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The pope is due to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from 6 to 17 November. Margaritora told Vatican News there is no medical reason to stop a trip that includes 12 flights, two helicopter rides and high-altitude visits. Newsis added that the pope kept working during his hospital stay, including a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The announcement removes the prospect of further cancer treatment for the pope, according to his doctors. His surgeon said there is no medical reason to stop the planned South America trip.
Key facts
- The Vatican said in a statement on 21 October that Pope Leo XIV needs no further treatment for his lung cancer. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Doctors Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora said tissue removed in surgery showed no spread of the cancer, and an oncological assessment confirmed no further treatment is needed. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Leo XIV, 71, had the lower lobe of his right lung removed on 13 October and was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- He left hospital on 17 October, four days after the operation. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- He is due to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from 6 to 17 November. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Margaritora told Vatican News there is no medical reason to stop the trip, which includes 12 flights, two helicopter rides and high-altitude visits. [ 1 , 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Doctors found no spread of the cancer in the tissue removed during surgery, and an oncological assessment found no further treatment is needed, according to the Vatican statement. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The pope had the lower lobe of his right lung removed on 13 October, was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma and was discharged on 17 October. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The pope is scheduled to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from 6 to 17 November. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- The stage of the cancer Steven Liu of Georgetown's Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center said the Vatican's announcement suggests stage 1 lung cancer; the documents do not report the Vatican giving a stage.
- How the lung nodule was found Newsis said it was found by chance during a routine abdominal exam and caused no symptoms; Yonhap and Korea Economic Daily said it was found during a routine health check.
- Whether the pope spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone while in hospital Only Newsis reports this.