Pope Leo XIV Needs No Further Cancer Treatment

Source reports published 22 Oct 2026, 6:09 am – 9:47 am AEST

Following surgery to remove a lung nodule, Pope Leo XIV’s doctors have confirmed he requires no further cancer treatment. Tissue tests revealed the localized lung adenocarcinoma, and the Pope was discharged from hospital ahead of schedule.

What happened

• Pope Leo XIV, 71, underwent surgery on October 13th at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital to remove the lower lobe of his right lung after a nodule was detected during an examination.
• Dr. Luigi Carbone and Dr. Stefano Margaritora, the Pope’s personal physician and surgeon respectively, confirmed that follow-up tests revealed the tumor was a localized lung adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer.
• The Vatican stated that a subsequent oncology assessment confirmed that no further treatment was necessary.
• The Pope was discharged on Saturday, four days after the surgery, and returned to St Peter’s Square on Wednesday, resuming his weekly general audience.
• During a phone call, Pope Leo urged a ceasefire in Oleshky, Ukraine, and requested dialogue with President Zelensky.
• The Pope’s doctors indicated that the surgery was successful in removing the tumor and that there was no clinical reason to cancel his planned tour of South America, scheduled from November 6th to 17th, although adjustments to his pace may be necessary for recovery.

Original reporting

• BBC: Pope does not need further treatment after lung cancer surgery
  2026-10-21T20:09:10.869000+00:00
• South China Morning Post: Pope Leo doesn’t need further treatment for lung cancer, doctors say
  2026-10-21T20:23:51+00:00
• PBS NewsHour: Pope Leo's tests show he needs no further treatment for lung cancer, his doctors say
  2026-10-21T20:44:10+00:00
• GB News: Pope Leo’s doctors issue major update on lung cancer diagnosis
  2026-10-21T20:38:36+00:00
• Deutsche Welle: Pope Leo will not need further cancer treatment — Vatican
  2026-10-21T23:47:27.505000+00:00
• France 24 English: Pope Leo XIV needs no further lung cancer treatment, Vatican says
  2026-10-21T21:41:19+00:00