Christian World | Pope Leo XIV's doctors said on October 21, 2026 that his lung adenocarcinoma was localized and no further treatment is needed after his October 13 surgery

ACW | October 22, 2026 — Pope Leo XIV's doctors said on Wednesday, October 21, that the lung cancer removed from the head of the Catholic Church was localized and requires no further treatment, Vatican News reported.

A Holy See Press Office statement said test results "confirmed that the tumor was a lung adenocarcinoma and that the disease was localized." The statement was issued by Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora.

"A subsequent oncological assessment has confirmed that no further treatment is necessary," the doctors said. According to Vatican News, Margaritora performed the operation himself.

The Pope underwent surgery on October 13, 2026, in which the lower lobe of his right lung was removed, Vatican News said. EWTN News reported that he left Rome's Gemelli Hospital on October 17 and returned to the Vatican.

Background: Leo XIV, the first American pope, was elected head of the Catholic Church on May 8, 2025. ACW earlier reported that the Pope held his first General Audience after lung surgery.

Why it matters: The Pope leads the world's largest Christian church and is one of the main global voices for freedom of religion or belief. According to Vatican News, his surgeon had already said there was no clinical reason to cancel his upcoming visit to South America.

ACW will continue to follow this story.

Sources: Vatican News — Pope Leo XIV's doctors confirm 'no further treatment is necessary'; EWTN News — Pope's cancer was localized, doctors say

Photo: Vatican Media