Pope Leo XIV leaves hospital after lung surgery (Image: Getty)
Pope Leo XIV has returned to the Vatican following lung cancer surgery and provided reassurance to supporters gathered in the streets about his condition. His surgeon has confirmed there are “no clinical reasons” to prevent his scheduled South American visit next month.
“The Holy Father has put his heart and soul into his recovery,” Dr Stefano Margaritora told Vatican News. He added that he expected the pope to recover fully from surgery “in another 10 days or so.”
The 71 year old pontiff is due to undertake an extensive journey next month to Uruguay, Peru and Argentina, comprising a dozen flights and two helicopter trips to elevated locations. “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.
Pope Leo is said to be recovering well after the surgery in Rome (Image: Getty)
Leo underwent removal of the lower lobe of his right lung on Tuesday in the most significant health episode of his 17-month papacy. The procedure confirmed a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma, the most prevalent form of lung cancer.
He departed hospital on Saturday, considerably earlier than the week-long stay initially projected by the Vatican, and delivered an encouraging health update to those assembled to demonstrate their support.
“I am much better, thank you,” the pope said when asked how he was as he was driven away in a black SUV. Leo greeted patients inside the hospital alongside his surgeon before stepping outside to acknowledge well-wishers, who cried out “Holiness” as he made his way to a waiting vehicle.
He paused when a 13 year old Ukrainian girl presented him with a homemade papal doll that she said had helped her through successful cancer treatment. She had briefly met Leo at an audience in St. Peter’s Square last December — an encounter she told reporters “gave her the strength to overcome the illness.”
Leo has shown encouraging signs of recovery following the procedure, having spoken by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin, held meetings with senior aides, and celebrated Mass in a makeshift hospital chapel.
He is set to carry out his first official engagement on Sunday, October 18, delivering the traditional Angelus blessing to worshippers in St. Peter’s Square — precisely one week after the pontiff disclosed to gathered crowds that the nodule had been detected and would require surgical removal, in what was considered a remarkably candid announcement from the Vatican.
Margaritora, lead thoracic surgeon at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, confirmed the nodule was discovered by chance during routine abdominal examinations, appearing as “a small spot” at the base of the lung, which extends down to the diaphragm.
He noted that had the spot been positioned higher, “it certainly would not have been seen.”
The cancer was detected at an early stage, and the pope had “no respiratory symptoms, and felt perfectly well,” Margaritora confirmed. He characterised Tuesday’s procedure to extract the lobe as “routine” and “without complications,” while acknowledging it “stirred deep feelings … to operate on a pope, who for the first time – at least in modern history – is undergoing surgery for a malignant tumour.”
The Vatican withheld disclosure that the tumour was malignant until following Tuesday’s successful operation. It subsequently confirmed that the pope had undergone a biopsy prior to his admission to Gemelli.
Margaritora stated the pope’s recovery thus far had necessitated “very little assistance from us.
“His determination to recover quickly has been effective in every respect. It was truly commendable,” the surgeon said.
