Cancer

Vatican: Pope Leo XIV Needs No More Cancer Treatment

Will Pope Leo XIV be fit to travel to South America in 10 days or should he rest and cancel the trip?

8 hours ago·Updated 53 minutes ago

Vatican: Pope Leo XIV Needs No More Cancer Treatment

Story

Above: Pope Leo XIV, a day after his return to The Vatican following a lung surgery, on Oct. 18. Image credit: Simone Risoluti/Vatican Media/Getty Images

The Facts

Pope Leo XIV needs no further treatment for lung cancer after final tests confirmed the disease had not spread, the Vatican said Wednesday. The 71-year-old had the lower lobe of his right lung removed on Oct. 13 at a Rome hospital.
Al Jazeera
EWTN Vatican
Final histopathology and molecular testing on tissue taken during the surgery confirmed the tumor was a lung adenocarcinoma and that "the disease was localized," personal physician Luigi Carbone and surgeon Stefano Margaritora said.
Newsweek
The Telegraph
The Holy See Press Office released the doctors' findings Wednesday evening, eight days after the operation, saying a subsequent oncological assessment ruled out additional therapy. The pope's medical team will continue surveillance.
NBC
Vatican News
The procedure at Rome's Gemelli hospital lasted about 90 minutes with no complications, according to the Holy See. Pulmonary adenocarcinoma is the most common form of lung cancer, accounting for roughly 40% of cases.
CNN
FOX News
Leo left the hospital Saturday, four days after surgery, and led Sunday's blessing from a window of the Apostolic Palace, telling the crowd he would gradually resume his activities with God's help and their prayers.
Daily Mail
PBS News
It remains unclear whether Leo will proceed with a Nov. 6-17 trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. Margaritora said there were "no clinical reasons" preventing the travel, though the Vatican secretary of state suggested a slower pace.
The Guardian
New York Post

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

Pope Leo XIV is expected to make a full physical recovery within approximately 10 days. With no clinical reasons identified to prevent his planned journey to South America, hopes remain high that the Pope will be fit to undertake the important visit as scheduled.

Catholic News Service on X

Courtney Mares on X

Narrative B

Pope Leo XIV’s health must not be taken for granted; his recovery demands patience, complete rest and freedom from unnecessary strain. In the wake of his lung surgery and cancer diagnosis, major travel should be avoided for now, allowing him the precious time and quiet needed to regain his strength before resuming the weighty duties of his papacy.