Pope Leo XIV’s doctors have confirmed the tumour removed from his lung last week is localised and no further treatment will be necessary.
The update comes as welcome relief to the faithful, who had been concerned following the Pope’s diagnosis.
But on Wednesday, Pope Leo XIV’s doctors reported the tumour removed on October 13 was a lung adenocarcinoma and that the disease was localised.
"The final histopathology and molecular testing reports on the tissue removed during the Holy Father’s surgery were issued today,” Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora said in a statement released by the Holy See Press Office.
“The results confirmed that the tumour was a lung adenocarcinoma and that the disease was localised. A subsequent oncological assessment has confirmed that no further treatment is necessary.”
The statement coincided with Pope Leo XIV’s first Wednesday General Audience since undergoing surgery.
“The first thing I would like to say to you is: thank you,” the Holy Father said during the Audience.
“Thank you for the support of your prayers. Thanks be to God for His generosity. Let us all renew our trust in the goodness and mercy of God.”
In the Audience, he continued his catechesis cycle on the Documents of the Second Vatican Council and reflected on the 1965 Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes (meaning “joy and hope”) on the Church in the modern world.
This week, he focused on marriages and family, saying both were crucial to society and needed to be protected and preserved.
In just over two weeks’ time, Pope Leo XIV will go on an 11-day Apostolic Journey to South America, visiting Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.
The Pope’s doctors had previously said they didn’t believe his recent surgery and recovery would be an impediment to making this trip as originally planned.
