Pope Leo XIV after his hospital stay: "I feel closer to those who suffer illness"

The surprising discovery was a malignant tumour in Pope Leo XIV’s right lung. Doctors removed the lower lobe because of a pulmonary adenocarcinoma, a type of lung cancer. The operation required a five-day hospital stay and close monitoring afterward.

The tumour was found during routine abdominal tests, not because the article describes lung symptoms. Pope Leo underwent surgery on Tuesday 13 October. Afterward, doctors checked how well the remaining lung expanded and how he was recovering. Professor Stefano Margaritora called his condition satisfactory at discharge.

The Pope left Gemelli hospital on Saturday and led the Angelus from the Apostolic Palace the next day. He thanked the doctors, nurses, staff, and people who prayed for him. He said he would gradually resume his duties during this delicate phase, with a Latin America trip expected in the coming weeks.

Pulmonary adenocarcinoma is a type of lung cancer. It begins in gland-like cells in the lung and can form a malignant tumour, meaning it may grow into nearby tissue or spread. The article does not explain the disease’s cellular details, but it identifies this diagnosis as the reason for Pope Leo XIV’s operation.

In his case, doctors found a small spot at the base of the right lung. They removed the lower lobe containing the tumour. Professor Stefano Margaritora said the discovery was accidental during routine abdominal tests, because the lung bases can appear in those images. He described the operation as successful.

At discharge, the Pope was in satisfactory clinical condition. The article says the lung was re-expanding within the expected time frame. His diagnosis made the hospital stay and recovery important, but the surgeon said there were no clinical reasons to prevent the planned Latin America journey.

Pope Leo XIV had the lower lobe of his right lung removed. This is more extensive than taking out only the visible spot, because the affected section is removed as a unit. The operation followed the discovery of a pulmonary adenocarcinoma, described in the article as a malignant tumour.

Professor Stefano Margaritora operated on the Pope on Tuesday 13 October. He said the lung’s re-expansion was progressing within the normally expected time frame. At discharge, the Pope’s overall condition was good and clinically satisfactory. These checks helped doctors judge whether recovery was proceeding safely.

Margaritora expected convalescence to take a couple of weeks. He therefore said there were no clinical reasons why the Pope’s Latin America trip, scheduled to begin on 6 November, should not take place. The Pope still planned to resume duties gradually during this delicate phase.

The tumour was discovered during routine abdominal tests because those scans can include the bottom parts of the lungs. The article compares the diaphragm to a parachute and explains that the lung bases are normally visible when doctors image the abdomen. This allowed a small spot in the chest to be noticed unexpectedly.

Professor Stefano Margaritora said the spot was at the base of Pope Leo XIV’s right lung. He called the discovery accidental. He also noted that if the spot had been a little higher, it would not have been seen in the abdominal examination. The finding led to further assessment and surgery.

This meant the article does not present lung symptoms as the reason for detection. Instead, an examination intended to check the abdomen revealed the problem. Doctors then removed the lower lung lobe, and the surgeon later reported satisfactory recovery and normal expected lung re-expansion.

Removing a lower lobe reduces the total amount of lung available for breathing. In general, this can make exertion feel harder at first and may bring temporary tiredness or breathlessness. Pain from surgery can also limit movement early on. The effect varies with a person’s health, lung condition, and recovery.

Breathing still works through the remaining lung tissue. Air reaches the remaining air sacs, where oxygen enters the blood and carbon dioxide leaves it. The remaining lung can take on more of the work, while the chest and breathing muscles adjust. This compensation helps some patients return to everyday activities after healing.

The article reports that Pope Leo’s lung was re-expanding on schedule and that his overall condition was good at discharge. His surgeon expected a couple of weeks of convalescence. The Pope planned to resume duties gradually rather than immediately returning to his full routine.

Travel and public duties can sometimes resume within weeks when the operation has gone well and the patient is clinically stable. The timing depends on healing, breathing, energy, medical follow-up, and the demands of the journey. These decisions must be made by the treating medical team, not by the calendar alone.

For Pope Leo XIV, Professor Stefano Margaritora reported a satisfactory condition at discharge. He said the re-expansion of the remaining lung was progressing within the expected time frame. The surgeon also praised the Pope’s determination during recovery and described him as an ideal patient. Those details supported a cautious return to activity.

Margaritora said convalescence would take a couple of weeks and saw no clinical reason to cancel the Latin America trip scheduled for 6 November. The Pope nevertheless said he would gradually resume activities. The article presents travel as possible, not as proof that recovery was complete.

Breathing brings air into the lungs, where oxygen must pass into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide must pass out. This exchange happens across the thin walls of tiny air sacs and nearby blood vessels. Oxygen is then carried around the body, while carbon dioxide returns to the lungs to be breathed out.

When a lower lobe is removed, the remaining lung tissue still contains air sacs and blood vessels. In general, these areas can receive more of the incoming air and blood flow, allowing them to perform a greater share of gas exchange. The body can therefore compensate partly, although total breathing reserve is reduced and recovery takes time.

The article says Pope Leo’s remaining lung was re-expanding within the expected time frame. His condition was good at discharge, but he planned a gradual return to duties. The surgeon expected convalescence to last a couple of weeks.