In brief
Pope Leo X has finished a 90‑minute operation that removed a lung tumour and the Vatican has confirmed that no additional treatment is needed. The 71‑year‑old pontiff was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, after a four‑day recovery, and has resumed his weekly general audience at St. Peter’s Square. The surgery, carried out on 13 October, involved removing the lower lobe of his right lung and confirmed the cancer was localized. The Pope has been active in diplomatic outreach, including phone calls to Russian and Ukrainian leaders calling for a ceasefire. He is set to travel to Latin America in early November.
Pope Leo XIV has finished a lung tumour removal and will not require additional treatment, the Vatican said on Monday.
The 71‑year‑old pontiff underwent surgery on 13 October that involved removing the lower lobe of his right lung; the operation lasted 90 minutes.
All test results confirmed the tumour was a localized lung adenocarcinoma and that no further oncological treatment is necessary.
He was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital after a four‑day recovery, speaking briefly to well‑wishers on the hospital grounds before heading back to St. Peter’s Square for his first general audience since the operation.
During the same week the Pope’s office also reported that he had spoken by phone to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, urging a ceasefire and a dialogue to allow food aid into the blockaded city of Oleshky.
He remains scheduled to depart for a Latin American tour in early November, a trip he has long been keen to keep on schedule.
