Pope Leo XIV resumes public duties as doctors rule out further cancer treatment
publishers 194articles 268first reported 11 Oct, 15:20 UTCdeveloping since 11 Oct · 18 editions
Pope Leo XIV returned to St Peter’s Square on Wednesday for his first general audience since undergoing lung cancer surgery, as the Vatican announced that he does not need further treatment.
The 71-year-old pontiff rode through the square in an open-air popemobile, greeting pilgrims and blessing babies before leading a roughly 50-minute audience. “The first thing I want to say to you is thank you for the support and prayers,” he told the crowd.
Leo underwent a 90-minute operation at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on October 13 to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. The procedure confirmed that he had adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer. His doctors, Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora, said Wednesday that final tests on tissue removed during surgery showed the cancer was localised and had not spread, meaning no additional treatment was required.
The pope left hospital four days after the operation and appeared at the Apostolic Palace window on Sunday for the Angelus prayer. He said he would gradually resume his duties and thanked medical staff and those who had prayed for him.
The Vatican has not detailed his schedule beyond Wednesday. A planned November 6-17 trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru remains on the calendar, although officials have indicated that its pace may be adjusted to support his recovery.
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Written from 8 articles, 6 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 246 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
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