Pope Leo XIV will not need further cancer treatment after surgery to remove part of his right lung, his doctors said on October 21. The 71-year-old pontiff is gradually returning to public duties, though it remained unclear whether he would make a planned trip to three South American countries in November.

Tests show cancer remained localized

The Vatican released the assessment from Stefano Margaritora, the Pope’s chief surgeon, and Luigi Carbone, his personal doctor. They said a further cancer evaluation had confirmed that no additional therapy was necessary.

Final tests on the removed tissue, including microscopic examination and molecular analysis, confirmed the diagnosis, the doctors said. They also found that the disease remained localized.

Leo underwent surgery on October 13 to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. He was diagnosed with pulmonary adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer. The doctors’ latest assessment followed examination of the tissue removed during that operation.

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A return to public duties

He was discharged on October 17 after lung cancer surgery. Since leaving hospital, he has been gradually resuming his activities.

On October 21, Leo returned to St Peter’s Square for his weekly audience with pilgrims. That public appearance came four days after his discharge and on the same day as the doctors’ announcement about further treatment.

South American trip remains uncertain

The Pope’s planned journey would take him to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17. Whether he would proceed with the visit was still unclear when the medical assessment was announced.

Margaritora said the previous week that there was no clinical reason preventing the Pope from travelling to South America. His assessment addressed the medical grounds for travel, while the pace of the Pope’s activities remained a separate consideration.

The Vatican’s secretary of state said Leo might need to adjust the pace of his schedule to help his recovery. The planned journey’s dates and destinations were known, but whether the Pope would travel, and what adjustments might be needed, remained unresolved.