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Pope Leo XIV needs no further cancer treatment after lung tumor removed, doctors say

21 October 2026 at 20:39

Pope Leo XIV will need no further treatment for lung cancer after final tests confirmed the disease was localized, his doctors said Wednesday.

Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora announced the findings just over a week after surgeons removed a tumor from the pontiff’s right lung.

"The final histopathology and molecular testing reports on the tissue removed during the Holy Father’s surgery were issued today," the doctors said in a statement.

POPE LEO WELCOMED BACK AS HE DELIVERS ANGELUS PRAYER DAYS AFTER LUNG CANCER SURGERY

"The results confirmed that the tumor was a lung adenocarcinoma and that the disease was localized. A subsequent oncological assessment has confirmed that no further treatment is necessary."

Pope Leo underwent surgery Oct. 13 at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. The operation lasted about 90 minutes, with the pope spending approximately three hours in the operating room, according to the Holy See.

"The doctors said it was successful and there were no complications," the Holy See press office said after the procedure.

The pontiff awoke normally and returned to his hospital room following a brief observation period, Vatican News reported.

RECOVERING FROM LUNG SURGERY, POPE LEO URGES PUTIN TO AGREE TO CEASEFIRE IN RUSSIAN-HELD UKRAINE CITY

He was discharged Saturday after blood tests and a chest X-ray confirmed he was well enough to return to the Vatican. Thousands of supporters gathered outside the hospital, shouting "Papa!" as he departed.

Before leaving, Leo visited the children’s oncology ward, where young patients had sent him letters during his hospital stay.

POPE LEO'S LUNG TUMOR RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT CANCER RISK FOR NONSMOKERS

"Pope Leo, our prayers are for you," a girl named Eleonora wrote in a letter released by Vatican News.

"May God, the Most Holy Virgin, and the guardian angels always protect you," she added.

Eleonora’s mother told the pope her daughter was now healthy, according to the Vatican.

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"Faith moves mountains," Eleonora wrote. "God has heard our prayers."

Fox News Digital's Robert McGreevy contributed to this report.

Pope Leo welcomed back as he delivers Angelus prayer days after lung cancer surgery

18 October 2026 at 12:42

Pope Leo XIV made a remarkable return to the Vatican on Sunday, appearing before thousands of Catholic faithful in St. Peter's Square just five days after undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his lung.

The 71-year-old pontiff delivered his traditional Angelus prayer from a window overlooking the square, marking his first official engagement since being discharged Saturday from Rome's Gemelli hospital, where doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung.

Leo thanked the faithful for their prayers and support throughout his hospitalization, saying his recent health struggles had brought him closer to those suffering from illness. He also expressed gratitude to the doctors, nurses and hospital staff who cared for him following the operation.

POPE LEO XIV DISCHARGED FROM HOSPITAL, WILL RETURN TO VATICAN AFTER SURGERY TO REMOVE LUNG CANCER

The first American-born pope said he planned to gradually resume his regular activities with God's help and the continued prayers of the faithful.

During his Angelus address, Leo reflected on one of Jesus' best-known teachings, "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's," urging Christians to live with integrity and resist hypocrisy.

His return came sooner than expected after doctors initially anticipated a hospital stay of approximately one week following Tuesday's surgery.

As he departed the hospital on Saturday, the pope told a reporter in English that he was doing "much better."

Claire Holland, visiting from Jacksonville, Fla., told The Associated Press she felt "very blessed" to witness the pope's return.

"I think there have been millions and millions of prayers. And he is a strong determined man, and I am so happy that he is feeling well enough to do this," Holland said.

POPE LEO UNDERGOES BLOOD TESTS, X-RAY FOLLOWING CANCER SURGERY, VATICAN SAYS

The surgery marked the first major health crisis of Leo's 17-month pontificate. Doctors confirmed that the tumor was adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer.

Doctors are conducting further testing on the tumor and surrounding lymph nodes to determine the extent of the disease and whether additional treatment, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapy, may be necessary.

The pope is scheduled to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from Nov. 6 through Nov. 17, a demanding itinerary that includes a dozen flights and two helicopter rides to high-altitude destinations.

His surgeon, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, told Vatican News on Saturday that the pope appears well enough to go on the trip.

"The Holy Father has put his heart and soul into his recovery," Margaritora said, adding that he expected Leo to recover fully from the surgery "in another 10 days or so."

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"As for a long trip involving air travel in about three weeks, I would say there are no clinical reasons why it should not take place," Margaritora said.

Fox News’ Courtney Walsh and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Pope Leo XIV discharged from hospital, will return to Vatican after surgery to remove lung cancer

17 October 2026 at 12:19

Thousands of supporters gathered outside Gemelli Hospital in Rome Saturday yelling "Papa!" after Pope Leo XIV was released after surgery to remove a cancerous node in his lung.

The Holy See announced early Saturday he would be leaving to return to the Vatican.

"Following the doctors’ assessment this morning, Pope Leo XIV will be discharged today from Gemelli Hospital, where he was hospitalized for surgery on his right lung," a statement from the Holy See read.

"He will leave the hospital in the early afternoon and return to the Vatican. Tomorrow, he will lead the Angelus prayer from the window of the papal apartment."

The pope received blood tests and a chest X-ray Saturday, both of which confirmed he is well enough to return to the Vatican, according to Vatican News.

Before he departed, Pope Leo reportedly visited the children's oncology ward. While in the hospital, the Pope received letters from some of the children in the ward.

"Pope Leo, our prayers are for you," a girl named Eleonora, who had been receiving treatment in the oncology ward, wrote to him, according to letters released by Vatican News. 

"May God, the Most Holy Virgin, and the guardian angels always protect you," she added. 

Eleanora's mother told the Pope that she was now healthy, according to the Vatican.

"Faith moves mountains," Eleanora wrote to Pope Leo. "God has heard our prayers."

DR MARC SIEGEL: POPE LEO'S LUNG SURGERY PUTS MODERN MEDICINE ALONGSIDE FAITH

Pope Leo underwent thoracic surgery to remove a cancerous node in his lung Tuesday. 

After the successful surgery, doctors diagnosed him with lung adenocarcinoma, a form of lung cancer.

"The Pope was in the operating room approximately three hours, while the operation itself lasted about 90 minutes. The doctors said it was successful and there were no complications," a statement from the Holy See press office read.

RECOVERING FROM LUNG SURGERY, POPE LEO URGES PUTIN TO AGREE TO CEASEFIRE IN RUSSIAN-HELD UKRAINE CITY

"Pope Leo awoke normally after surgery and, following a brief period of observation, returned to his room on the hospital’s 10th floor," Vatican News added in a statement.

While recovering, Pope Leo called Russian President Vladimir Putin and urged him to call for a ceasefire in the Ukrainian city of Oleshky.

POPE LEO XIV SEEN FOR FIRST TIME SINCE LUNG CANCER SURGERY AMID MAJOR RECOVERY MILESTONE

"During the conversation, the Holy Father expressed his deep concern about the grave humanitarian situation in the city of Oleshky, in the Kherson region, and called for a ceasefire to allow the delivery of food and medical assistance and the voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population," a statement from the Vatican read.

"Finally, the Holy Father reaffirmed the Holy See’s commitment to promoting dialogue and peace."

TRUMP WISHES POPE LEO SPEEDY RECOVERY AFTER LUNG CANCER DIAGNOSIS, SPEAKS HIGHLY OF PONTIFF'S BROTHER

Russia has controlled the southern Ukrainian city since May and has not allowed any humanitarian food deliveries into the city. Oleshky also has no electricity, gas or running water, and the hospital is barely functional, according to previous Fox News Digital reporting.

Fox News Digital contacted the Holy See for further comment.

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Fox News Digital's Brie Stimson and Fox News' Courtney Walsh-Annesi contributed to this report.

Recovering from lung surgery, Pope Leo urges Putin to agree to ceasefire in Russian-held Ukraine city

17 October 2026 at 00:10

Pope Leo XIV called Russian President Vladimir Putin while recovering from surgery in the hospital to urge him to call a ceasefire in the city of Oleshky in Ukraine.

"During the conversation, the Holy Father expressed his deep concern about the grave humanitarian situation in the city of Oleshky, in the Kherson region, and called for a ceasefire to allow the delivery of food and medical assistance and the voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population," the Vatican said in a statement.

"Finally, the Holy Father reaffirmed the Holy See’s commitment to promoting dialogue and peace."

TRUMP ANNOUNCES IMMEDIATE ENERGY CEASEFIRE BETWEEN RUSSIA AND UKRAINE

The situation in Oleshky is dire with no humanitarian food deliveries allowed in the Russian-controlled city since May. It also has no electricity, gas or running water, and the hospital is barely functional.

The pope was diagnosed with lung cancer Tuesday and underwent a procedure to remove the lower lobe of his right lung.

The 71-year-old remained in the hospital recovering on Friday but seemed to be doing well.

Along with the call, he held Mass in a makeshift hospital chapel, and the Vatican released the first images of him since his surgery, which showed him standing at an altar.

POPE LEO XIV SEEN FOR FIRST TIME SINCE LUNG CANCER SURGERY AMID MAJOR RECOVERY MILESTONE

His doctors said he showed "continued improvement."

"His post-operative recovery allows him to carry out his normal daily activities completely on his own," a medical update signed by his personal physician, Luigi Carbone, and the head of thoracic surgery at Gemelli, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, said.

The pope is expected to deliver his traditional Angelus prayer service on Sunday either from the hospital or the Vatican.

TRUMP WISHES POPE LEO SPEEDY RECOVERY AFTER LUNG CANCER DIAGNOSIS, SPEAKS HIGHLY OF PONTIFF'S BROTHER

He is also still expected to travel to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru starting Nov. 6 as planned.

The Kremlin blames Ukraine for the situation in Oleshky with Putin giving the pope a "detailed explanation regarding the Kyiv regime’s responsibility for the difficult humanitarian situation there," the Kremlin said.

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Putin also supports "the Vatican’s intention to help create conditions for ensuring the safety of the local population and facilitating the delivery of essential supplies," the Kremin added.

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