Italy: Pope Leo XIV will not require further medical treatment following surgery for lung cancer last week, doctors confirmed in a statement released by the Vatican on Wednesday.
Histological examinations and final histopathology and molecular testing of the tissue removed during the operation confirmed that the tumour was a lung adenocarcinoma and that the disease remained localised.
Pope Leo's lead surgeon, Professor Stefano Margaritora, and personal physician, Dr Luigi Carbone, said a subsequent oncological assessment had confirmed that no further treatment was necessary.
The surgery on October 13 involved removing the lower lobe of the right lung. The pontiff made his first public appearance on Sunday following the procedure, addressing crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square from a window of the Vatican's Apostolic Palace.
The 71-year-old appeared at the window unassisted and delivered his traditional noon address in a strong, clear voice. Smiling, he thanked people around the world for their prayers and support and said he would gradually resume his activities after overcoming a delicate phase in his recovery.
"I would like to thank all those who have prayed for me in recent days. I have truly sensed your support. Thank you! 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 infirmity. Now that I have overcome this delicate phase, as you know, I will gradually resume my activities, always with God’s help and your prayers."
He also urged pilgrims to abandon selfish ambitions and serve the Almighty without reservation.
The operation had raised questions about how the pontiff's physical condition might affect his ability to fulfil his duties as supreme pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, which represents approximately 1.4 billion adherents.
Catholic devotees gathered in St Peter's Square to welcome Pope Leo following his discharge from Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Saturday, four days after the procedure. He told a journalist in English that he felt considerably better upon leaving the hospital.
The pontiff's next major engagement is an international visit scheduled for November 6 to 17, covering Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru. Margaritora told Vatican News on Saturday that there were no clinical reasons to rule out the visit.
(With inputs from ANI and Reuters)
