Pope Leo XIV needs no further treatment after the lung tumour removed from him on October 13, his doctor said on Wednesday.
Final laboratory tests confirmed it was a localised lung adenocarcinoma.
The pope’s personal physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, and Professor Stefano Margaritora, who led the surgical team, issued the update in a joint statement. It came just over a week after the operation.
“The final histopathology and molecular testing reports on the tissue removed during the Holy Father’s surgery were issued today. The results confirmed that the tumor was a lung adenocarcinoma and that the disease was localized. A subsequent oncological assessment has confirmed that no further treatment is necessary.”
The statement means that the pontiff will not need chemotherapy.
The cancer was not detected through symptoms. Margaritora, who heads thoracic surgery at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli University Hospital, said that the nodule turned up by chance during routine examinations.
He urged people, especially those at higher risk, to have regular preventive checkups.