Pope Leo
“The final histological report and molecular biological analysis of the tissue removed during the pope’s surgery was completed today,” said Dr. Stefano Margaritola, professor of thoracic surgery, who led the surgical team with the pope’s attending physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone.
“The results confirmed that the condition was lung adenocarcinoma and that the disease was localized. Subsequent oncological evaluation confirmed that no further treatment was required,” the bulletin added.
Lung adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for approximately 40% of all cases. It progresses slowly and often affects non-smokers.
Pope Leo leads first Sunday service in St. Peter’s Square after recovering from surgery
Pope Leo leads first Sunday service in St. Peter’s Square after recovering from surgery
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Leo’s announcement on Oct. 11 that he needed surgery for a “nodule” in his lung sent shockwaves both inside and outside the Vatican, given the pope’s penchant for clean living. After a brief stay in a Rome hospital where doctors removed the lobe of his right lung, Leo returned home on October 17th.
The next day, he made his first public appearance since his diagnosis, leading the Sunday Angelus from the balcony of the Apostolic Palace.
“This experience has given me a deep affinity for all those experiencing illness and frailty,” he told the crowd of worshipers.
Pope Leo’s recovery is much faster than normal, said Dr. Juanita Mora, national medical spokesperson for the American Lung Association, who was not part of his treatment team. He said doctors will monitor the pope’s progress after his latest treatment, including follow-up CT scans every three to six months for the first few years and then annual checks to check for recurrence.
After such surgeries, patients often undergo respiratory physical therapy to restore their ability to breathe, Mora told CNN, adding that the affected lungs should regain full function.
All is clear ahead of the Pope’s planned visit to South America next month. News that the pope has cancer complicated plans for the trip, which required at least 14 flights and included stops in Peru, Uruguay and Argentina.
The Vatican has not officially confirmed the pope’s travel plans, but his surgeon, Margaritola, told Vatican News there was “no clinical reason” to cancel the trip.
Mora said if the trip were to take place, the pope would be asked to walk during the journey to prevent blood clots from forming during long-haul flights. He said the pope should be vaccinated against Covid-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus before traveling as “a little extra precaution in case he contracts a respiratory infection”.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
