Pope Leo needs no further cancer treatment
Tests indicate that the tumour was localised and that additional therapy is unnecessary.
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The doctors treating Pope Leo XIV say that he needs no further cancer treatment after his lung operation. Histological and molecular tests indicated, according to the Vatican, that the disease was localised.
The Pope underwent an operation on 13 October in which part of his right lung was removed. Doctors diagnosed a lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer. According to the final tests, the tumour had not spread.
The Vatican reported on Wednesday evening that an oncological assessment found no additional therapy necessary. According to the doctors, this means that no follow-up treatment such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy is currently needed. It is not a general statement about the prognosis of people with lung cancer.
Leo was discharged from hospital on Saturday and is gradually resuming his duties. Reuters reported that he returned to St Peter’s Square on Wednesday for his weekly audience. Doctors are continuing to monitor his recovery.
The statement concerns the medical condition of one patient and is based on information from his treating doctors. The Vatican provided no extensive details about the precise size of the tumour or the schedule for further monitoring. It also remains unclear whether the Pope will fully carry out his planned trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from 6 to 17 November.
The doctors had previously said that there was no medical reason to rule out the trip. The Vatican’s Secretary of State did warn that the pace of the programme might need to be adjusted. Recovery after lung surgery can still take time, even when no additional cancer therapy is needed.
The treating doctors speak of localised disease and the absence of an indication for further treatment. In doing so, they give no certainty about the long term.
For readers, the distinction between ‘no additional treatment needed’ and ‘fully recovered’ is particularly important. The first formulation describes the doctors’ current medical decision. Only new tests and check-ups can provide clarity about what happens next.
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The medical development was confirmed by a statement from the Vatican and by Reuters. The text avoids conclusions about recovery or the long-term prognosis.
- confirmed According to his doctors, Pope Leo needs no further cancer treatment. — Reported by Reuters and confirmed by Vatican News. source
- confirmed The disease was localised according to the tests. — Described in the medical statement as reported by Reuters and Vatican News. source
- confirmed The Pope resumed a public audience on 21 October. — Reported by Reuters. source
Editor's note
The medical statement comes from the treating doctors and was confirmed by Reuters and Vatican News. The long-term prognosis and travel schedule remain uncertain.Sources
- Pope Leo will not need further cancer treatment, doctors say — Reuters via ThePrint
- Pope Leo XIV’s doctors confirm ‘no further treatment is necessary’ — Vatican News
More on this in Dutch media
- RTL Nieuws — „paus leo xiv”
- NOS — „paus leo xiv”
- Het Parool — „paus leo xiv”