Pope Leo will not need further cancer treatment, doctors say

Summary

Pope Leo's doctors said on Wednesday that he will not need any further treatment after lung cancer surgery last week, indicating that his tumour had not spread. The 71-year-old pope had the lower lobe of his right lung removed on 13 October after being diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer. He has begun a gradual return to his duties and hopes to proceed with a planned visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from Nov 6 to 17, but doubts remain about whether that trip will go ahead.

Timeline

1. Channel NewsAsia

   21 Oct 2026, 20:54 UTCSource ↗

   Channel NewsAsia reports that doctors say the 71-year-old pope will not need therapy after cancer surgery, that he has begun a gradual return to his duties, and that he hopes to proceed with a planned visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from Nov 6 to 17.

2. The Guardian

   21 Oct 2026, 22:34 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that doctors said on Wednesday Pope Leo will not need further treatment after lung cancer surgery last week, indicating his tumour had not spread, but that it remains unclear whether the planned trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru for 6-17 November will go ahead.