Pope Leo XIV said he would ease back into his duties after lung cancer surgery, while The Independent reported that pending analyses of the tumor and nearby lymph nodes may guide further treatment.
At Sunday’s Angelus, Leo addressed the crowd in St. Peter’s Square from the Apostolic Palace. “I will gradually resume my activities,” he said. He thanked his medical team and said his hospital stay had changed how he related to people experiencing illness.
Leo left Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Saturday and returned to the Vatican, as EconoTimes reported in its account of his discharge. The Holy See Press Office said the Oct. 13 operation removed the lower lobe of his right lung, and tissue analysis confirmed adenocarcinoma, a form of lung cancer.
The Independent reported that analysis of the tumor and related lymph nodes was still in progress Sunday. The outlet said doctors would consider the findings alongside the tumor’s molecular and genetic profile when deciding whether Leo needs additional treatment. Possible options include chemotherapy, chemotherapy with immunotherapy, or oral targeted therapy based on the tumor’s genetic characteristics.
Leo is due to travel to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from Nov. 6-17. Dr. Stefano Margaritora, the pope’s surgeon, told Vatican News on Saturday that he saw no clinical reason to cancel the trip and expected Leo to recover fully in about 10 days.
