Pope Leo XIV will not require further cancer treatment after a successful surgery to remove part of his right lung, the Vatican announced Wednesday.
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The pope underwent surgery on Oct. 13 to address a localized nodule that later tested positive for pulmonary adenocarcinoma, a common lung cancer. The nodule was detected early, Pope Leo said, and doctors recommended removing the lower portion of his right lung.
The surgery went well and the pope’s recovery has been going well, the Vatican has reported. In Wednesday’s announcement, the pope’s doctors, Dr. Luigi Carbone and professor Stefano Margaritora, reported on the final testing of the tissue removed during surgery.
“The results confirmed that the tumor was a lung adenocarcinoma and that the disease was localized,” the statement reads. “A subsequent oncological assessment has confirmed that no further treatment is necessary.”
Pope Leo expressed his gratitude for those who prayed for his recovery in a social media post on Sunday.
“This experience has made me feel particularly close to all those who are living with illness or infirmity,” he wrote. “Now that I have overcome this delicate phase I will gradually resume my activities, always with God’s help and your prayers.”
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I would like to thank all those who have prayed for me in recent days. I wish to express my particular gratitude to the doctors, nurses and all the staff of the Gemelli Hospital. This experience has made me feel particularly close to all those who are living with illness or…
— Pope Leo XIV (@Pontifex) October 18, 2026
The Vatican has not confirmed whether the pope will still attend his planned South America tour, scheduled for Nov. 6-17. The tour includes a stop in Cusco, Peru, at an elevation of around 11,200 feet, which could present a challenge to someone recovering from lung surgery.
Most recently, Pope Leo met with a delegation of the American Jewish Committee at the Vatican and spoke at the International Congress for Pastoral Care in Schools and Universities on Thursday.
The pope emphasized a positive relationship between Catholic and Jewish communities at the first event.
“Rooted in our shared spiritual heritage, this friendship also calls us to defend human dignity, serve the poor, protect religious freedom, and promote justice and peace,” he told members of the American Jewish Committee. “Dialogue between Christians and Jews must find eloquent expression in the life of both.”
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