Pope Leo XIV will not require further cancer treatment, his doctors announced on Wednesday, after the pontiff was diagnosed with lung cancer last week.
The Vatican cited the pope’s doctors, Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora, as saying the pope’s disease was localized and that “no further treatment” was necessary.
This confirms earlier prognoses suggesting the pope’s cancer was caught early.
Pope Leo last week underwent surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung on October 13 at Rome’s Gemelli hospital.
What did Pope Leo’s doctors say about his health condition?
The 71-year-old pontiff’s doctors said the final histopathology and molecular testing reports on the tissue removed during his surgery were issued on Wednesday.
“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 Holy See said.
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The pope’s surgeon added that there was “no clinical reason to cancel” the pope’s visit to South America.
The ambitious trip, initially scheduled for November 6-17, would take the pontiff to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, involving a dozen flights, two helicopter rides and stops at high altitude.
Pope Leo’s transparency around illness breaks with tradition
Leo was discharged from the hospital on Saturday, saying he would resume his activities gradually.
His illness shocked the Catholic Church, stoking concern that any potential prolonged treatment, such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy, could have affected the pope’s ability to head the church.
Pope Leo first announced his condition during the traditional Sunday blessing on October 11, telling followers that he would be having a nodule surgically removed.
The announcement broke away from long-held traditions of secrecy surrounding papal health issues.
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Edited by: Roshni Majumdar
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