Pope Leo Returns After Lung Cancer Surgery

Pope Leo XIV returned to the Vatican on Saturday, five days after surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. The operation confirmed that a nodule was adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer. His surgeon, Dr. Stefano Margaritora of Rome’s Gemelli hospital, said the procedure was routine and uncomplicated, and that Leo was expected to recover fully in about 10 days. Margaritora said there were no clinical reasons to prevent the pope’s planned Nov. 6–17 visit to Uruguay, Peru and Argentina, an ambitious trip involving numerous flights and travel to high altitudes. Leo left hospital earlier than the Vatican’s initially anticipated weeklong stay. He said he felt “much better,” greeted patients and well-wishers, and received a homemade papal doll from a 13-year-old Ukrainian girl who said an earlier meeting with him had given her strength during cancer treatment. During his hospital stay, Leo also spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin, met with senior aides and celebrated Mass. He was due to deliver the Angelus blessing in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, his first official duty since surgery. Margaritora said the cancer was found by chance during routine abdominal examinations. The small spot was at the base of the lung, near the diaphragm, and the pope had no respiratory symptoms and felt well. The Vatican disclosed that the tumour was malignant only after the successful operation, though it confirmed Leo had undergone a biopsy before admission. Further tests on the tumour and nearby lymph nodes, including analysis of its molecular and genetic characteristics, were underway. Those results will help doctors decide whether additional treatment is needed, with possibilities including chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted oral therapy. The surgeon praised Leo’s determination and said his recovery had so far required very little assistance.

Pope Leo XIV appeared at the window of the Apostolic Palace to address worshippers in St. Peter’s Square, thanking them for their prayers and saying he would gradually resume his activities after surgery for lung cancer. His appearance came four days after surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung and one day after he was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. The operation confirmed adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer. The pope said the experience had brought him particularly close to people living with illness or infirmity, and he thanked the hospital’s doctors, nurses and staff. His voice sounded strong, and he later told a reporter he was doing “much better.” The article describes the cheers and expressions of relief from people in the square, including visitors from the Democratic Republic of Congo and American tourists who had prayed for the pope during his hospitalization. Some voiced hope that he would recover fully and continue his work. Leo’s surgeon, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, said there were no clinical reasons at that point to rule out the pope’s planned Nov. 6–17 trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, though the itinerary involves numerous flights and travel to high altitudes. The surgeon expected recovery from the operation to take about another 10 days. Doctors were still conducting histological tests on the tumor and related lymph nodes. Results, together with information about the tumor’s molecular and genetic characteristics, would help determine whether Leo needs further treatment, such as chemotherapy, chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy, or targeted oral therapy. The article notes that no information about his prognosis had been made public.

Pope Leo XIV’s lung cancer was discovered “entirely by chance,” according to Dr. Stefano Margaritora, the surgeon who operated on him at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli University Hospital. The pope had no respiratory symptoms and felt well; the tumor was found during examinations conducted for other reasons, rather than through preventive lung-cancer screening. Margaritora said its position at the base of the right lung made it visible, whereas a tumor slightly higher up might not have been detected. He emphasized that early-stage cancers can produce no symptoms and that regular preventive checkups remain important. Margaritora described the procedure to remove a lung nodule as routine and said it proceeded without complications. The diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer, was made during surgery. Leo, 71, spent four days recovering at Gemelli Hospital before being discharged Saturday to a crowd of well-wishers. His surgeon called him “an ideal patient,” saying he caused no problems for the care team. On the second day after surgery, staff found him arranging chairs in the hospital chapel; when they offered to help, he replied that he could do it himself. The pope had resumed some work by Thursday and spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday. The Vatican also released photographs of him celebrating Mass in a small hospital chapel. During his recovery, he met with Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle and Cardinal Baldassare Reina. The article reports that Leo was scheduled to travel to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from Nov. 6 to 17.

Pope Leo XIV returned to public duties on Sunday, appearing at a window overlooking St. Peter’s Square to deliver the traditional Angelus prayer. The appearance came five days after surgery at Rome’s Gemelli hospital to remove a cancerous tumor and the lower lobe of his right lung. Thousands of Catholic faithful gathered to see him, and Leo thanked them for their prayers, as well as the doctors, nurses and hospital staff who cared for him. He said the experience had brought him closer to people suffering from illness and that he would gradually resume his normal activities with God’s help and continued prayers. In his Angelus address, Leo reflected on Jesus’ teaching to give the emperor what belongs to the emperor and God what belongs to God. He urged Christians to act with integrity and avoid hypocrisy. His return was earlier than doctors had initially expected: they had anticipated a hospital stay of about a week, but he was discharged on Saturday and told a reporter he was feeling “much better.” The operation was the first major health crisis of Leo’s 17-month pontificate. Doctors identified the tumor as adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer, and are testing the tumor and nearby lymph nodes to determine the disease’s extent and whether further treatment—such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapy—will be needed. Leo is scheduled to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from Nov. 6 to Nov. 17, on a demanding trip involving numerous flights and helicopter rides to high-altitude destinations. His surgeon, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, said the pope appeared fit enough to travel and predicted he would recover fully from surgery in roughly another 10 days. Margaritora said there were no clinical reasons the planned trip could not proceed.

Pope Leo XIV appeared at the window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, one day after returning to the Vatican from Gemelli hospital. He thanked thousands of people for praying for him during his hospitalization and said he would gradually resume his usual activities. The pope’s right lower lung lobe was removed on Tuesday after a lung nodule was discovered; surgery confirmed adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer. Speaking four days after the operation, he said the delicate phase was behind him and that the experience had brought him closer to people facing illness. Leo also thanked the doctors, nurses and other staff who treated him. People gathered in the square cheered, and a visiting African delegation celebrated after his blessing. Several attendees described feeling relieved and joyful at seeing him return, while others expressed confidence in his strength and recovery. Leo, 71, is experiencing the first major health event of his 17-month pontificate. He told a reporter he was doing much better as he left the hospital, whose stay was shorter than initially expected. The pope’s next major engagement is a Nov. 6–17 trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, involving numerous flights and travel to high altitudes. His surgeon, Stefano Margaritora, said there were no clinical reasons the trip could not go ahead and expected Leo to recover fully in about 10 more days. Testing of the tumor and nearby lymph nodes was still underway. Those results, including information about the tumor’s molecular and genetic characteristics, will help determine whether the pope needs further treatment, such as chemotherapy, chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy, or targeted oral therapy.

Pope Leo made his first public appearance on Oct. 18, five days after surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung for lung adenocarcinoma. Speaking from a window of the Apostolic Palace to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square, the 71-year-old pope thanked people around the world for their prayers and said he would “gradually resume” his activities with God’s help and their continued support. He also urged the crowd to set aside selfish ambitions and serve God “without compromise.” Leo was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Oct. 17 after blood tests and chest imaging indicated that he was well enough to return home. His doctors said he could perform ordinary daily activities independently. About 15,000 people attended the appearance, according to the Vatican. The crowd applauded and cheered; a nun knelt and cried, while others held a sign expressing love and prayers for the pope. The cancer diagnosis has raised questions about how Leo’s health could affect his papacy, which began after his election in May 2025. The Vatican cancelled his other public events through at least Oct. 21, when he is scheduled to hold a weekly general audience, but has not confirmed whether it will proceed. Leo is also planning a Nov. 6–17 trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. His lead surgeon, Stefano Margaritora, said he could recover fully in time for the trip. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, however, has suggested that Leo may need to adjust his schedule according to his health. The article presents the pope’s cautious return alongside uncertainty over his recovery and future workload.