In brief
Vatican medical staff confirmed that Pope Leo X‑IV needs no further treatment after the removal of a lung tumour, which was diagnosed as adenocarcinoma. The 71‑year‑old pontiff was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital at the end of October, after the procedure on the 13th that lasted 90 minutes and involved removal of the lower lobe of his right lung. He returned to St Peter’s Square for his first weekly general audience since the operation, and has already been in contact with world leaders to urge a ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict. Despite the seriousness of his health scare, the Pope remains on schedule for a planned Latin‑American trip in early November.
Vatican medical staff have announced that Pope Leo X‑IV no longer requires any further treatment after a successful operation to remove a cancerous growth from his lung. The tissue removed during surgery tested positive for lung adenocarcinoma, but was confined to a small, localised area.
The 71‑year‑old pontiff was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Sunday, after the 13 October operation that lasted about 90 minutes and involved the removal of the lower lobe of his right lung. He stopped to greet well‑wishers as he left the grounds.
On Wednesday, Pope Leo returned to St Peter’s Square for his first weekly general audience since the operation. The event marked his resumption of public duties, while he continues to focus on diplomatic efforts.
The Pope had announced the surgery during his Sunday prayer services, telling the assembled crowd that doctors had found a nodule on his lung and that it had been caught “at an early stage.”
Following the operation, images showed Pope Leo conducting Mass from the hospital in green vestments, standing behind a makeshift altar. He also used the opportunity to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging a ceasefire in the blockaded Russian‑occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky so that food aid could be delivered. He made a similar call to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday.
Despite his recent health scare, close sources say the Pope is eager to keep his planned trip to Latin America in early November, reflecting his ongoing commitment to global diplomacy and pastoral outreach.
