Pope Leo won't need further treatment after lung cancer surgery, doctors say

Pope Leo XIV will not need any further treatment after having lung cancer surgery, his doctors said in a statement Wednesday.

Test results confirmed that the pope's cancer was localized, Dr. Luigi Carbone, the pope's physician, and Dr. Stefano Margaritora, his surgeon, said in a statement.

"A subsequent oncological evaluation has confirmed that no further therapy is required," the doctors said.

Leo's cancer diagnosis was revealed last week after he was admitted to a Rome hospital for what was initially described as a surgery to remove a lung nodule. The pontiff was diagnosed with the common cancer of lung adenocarcinoma, and doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung during a procedure that lasted about 90 minutes.

In an interview with Vatican News published over the weekend, Margaritora said the discovery of the malignant lung tumor was "entirely accidental." A small spot was found at the base of the lung during a routine exam, he said, adding that doctors wouldn't have found it if it was located a little higher up.

"The Holy Father falls into the category of people who discover they have lung cancer entirely by chance – not because they are undergoing preventive screening, but because they undergo examinations for other reasons," Margaritora told Vatican News.

On Saturday, four days after his surgery, the 71-year-old pope left the hospital and was greeted by a large crowd cheering for him. He delivered his traditional Sunday noon prayer at the Vatican, thanking the faithful for their prayers and the hospital staff for their care.

"This experience has made me feel particularly close to all those who are living with illness or infirmity," Leo said. "Now that I have overcome this delicate phase, as you know, I will gradually resume my activities, always with God's help and your prayers."

Leo is continuing his recovery at the Vatican and hosted his usual general audience Wednesday, waving from the popemobile to the large crowd of the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square and blessing children raised up to him.

The pope is expected to travel to South America in early November, the Vatican said.