In brief
After a 90‑minute operation that removed a lung tumor, Pope Leo has been declared free of cancer with no further treatment required. The 71‑year‑old was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital and returned to his weekly audience in St. Peter’s Square. Doctors confirmed the adenocarcinoma was localized and fully excised. Meanwhile, the Pope used his recovery to call for ceasefire in Ukraine, urging both Russian and Ukrainian leaders to open dialogue. Plans for a planned Latin American tour are on track.
After a successful operation to remove a lung tumour, Pope Leo has been declared cancer‑free, with no further treatment required.
Medical tests on the removed tissue confirmed the growth was an adenocarcinoma localized to the lower lobe of the right lung, a diagnosis first announced in a Sunday prayer service.
The 71‑year‑old pontiff was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital after a 90‑minute procedure on 13 October, and subsequently addressed the faithful in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday.
Officials noted that the oncology assessment had shown no residual disease, allowing the Pope to resume his duties without additional therapy.
At the same time, the Pope used his recovery period to continue diplomatic outreach, including calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to advocate for ceasefire and aid to the blockaded city of Oleshky.
He also confirmed plans to travel to Latin America in early November, a trip that had been postponed earlier due to his illness.
