Pope Leo XIV will not require further medical treatment following surgery for lung cancer, his medical team announced in a statement Wednesday. The announcement follows a procedure performed on the pontiff’s right lung.
The Vatican first disclosed the lung cancer diagnosis on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, after the surgery had already taken place. Medical experts, including Dr. Charles A. Powell of the Mount Sinai Respiratory Institute and Dr. David Jones of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, provided analysis to CBS News regarding the diagnosis.
Pope Leo XIV returned to his duties less than one week after the operation. In addition to the official statement from his doctors, the pontiff's brother described the initial cancer surgery as a "freak diagnosis" during a separate interview.
The health of Pope Leo XIV affects the leadership of the Roman Catholic Church, an institution with approximately 1.3 billion members globally. As the first American pope, his ability to maintain his schedule impacts the administration of the Holy See. Doctors' conclusion that no further treatment is needed suggests the condition was addressed by the initial surgery.
For the Vatican's staff and the College of Cardinals, this update provides clarity on the stability of the current papacy. A need for ongoing chemotherapy or radiation would have likely required a delegation of the Pope's responsibilities to other officials within the Roman Curia, the administrative body of the Holy See. The announcement that he has already returned to work signifies a resumption of operations at the Apostolic Palace.
Future updates regarding his health will be monitored by international observers for signs of recurrence. At this time, the Vatican has not announced any changes to his upcoming public calendar.
The Pope has already resumed his official duties. No further specific dates for medical follow-ups or additional statements have been released by the Vatican or his medical team at this time.