A week after lung cancer surgery, Pope Leo is back on his feet: ‘No further therapy is required’
The disease was localized.
Pope Leo XIV is back on his feet just one week after his lung cancer surgery. According to the BBC, the Vatican has confirmed that he does not need any further treatment. This is great news for the 71-year-old pontiff. His doctors shared the update on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, following a successful recovery period.
The medical team analyzed the tissue removed during the operation and confirmed the initial diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma. The disease was localized, which is a very positive finding. The Vatican statement was clear about the path forward. “A subsequent oncological assessment has confirmed that no further treatment is necessary,” it added.
The surgery took place on October 13 and lasted for 90 minutes. Doctors removed the lower lobe of the Pope’s right lung. This was a significant procedure for the Pope. He was discharged from the Gemelli Hospital in Rome over the weekend. This happened just four days after the operation. He even stopped to speak to well-wishers as he left.
Pope Leo seems to be already returning to his normal duties
He held his first weekly general audience at St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday. It was a clear sign of his return to public life. He appeared strong during the event, even addressing the crowd directly. “Thank you! Thank you for the support of your prayers,” Leo said during the audience.
The Pope had first announced the surgery during his weekly Sunday prayers. He spoke to those gathered in St Peter’s Square. He told them that doctors had found a nodule on his lung, adding that it had been caught at an early stage. This disclosure was an unusually transparent move. It broke the long tradition of secrecy surrounding papal health issues.
Images from the hospital showed him celebrating Mass on the Friday after his surgery. He wore green vestments during that service. He stood behind a makeshift altar for the occasion. Even while recovering, he remained busy with his official responsibilities.
The Pope spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin over the phone, pushing for a ceasefire in the blockaded Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky. He wanted to allow the delivery of food aid and called for “dialogue and peace”. Leo had a similar phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday.
Dr. Luigi Carbone and Dr. Stefano Margaritora were his primary medical team. They confirmed the cancer had not spread during the surgery. The removal of the lower lobe of his right lung was a preventative step. It was intended to clear the disease entirely. Surgery is often enough when tumors are found very early. This often happens during scans for other issues.
The nodule was an incidental finding
It was discovered by chance during routine abdominal examinations. The Pope had not been experiencing any symptoms at the time. Stephen Liu, a lung cancer expert at Georgetown’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, offered his perspective on the case.
“The statements suggest that this is a stage I lung cancer for which surgery is highly effective and expected to be curative,” said Dr. Liu. According to the Associated Press, he noted that the lack of further treatment points to a small cancer. It clearly had not spread to the lymph nodes.
The medical team seems confident in his recovery. Dr. Stefano Margaritora spoke to Vatican News on Saturday. He stated that there was “no clinical reason” to prevent an upcoming trip the Pope is planning an ambitious journey for early November.
This trip includes visits to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru. It is scheduled for November 6 through 17. The itinerary is packed with activities. It includes a dozen flights and two helicopter rides. There are also high altitude stops planned for the group. Those close to the Pope have said he is very keen to keep the trip on schedule. He appears to be moving forward with his agenda without delay.
His quick recovery is quite notable for a 17-month pontificate
Leo has maintained a busy schedule despite the health event. The public appearances at St. Peter’s Square show he is ready to resume his role. He continues to greet the faithful from around the world. The medical team will likely monitor him as he prepares for travel. For now, the focus is on his return to his duties and keeping his travel plans intact.
The upcoming trip remains the next big milestone for Pope Leo. It will be a test of his stamina after the surgery. However, the doctors seem optimistic about his ability to handle the travel. As of now, everything points toward a full return to his regular pace of life.
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