Pope Leo XIV will not need chemotherapy, radiation, or any additional cancer treatment following surgery to remove part of his right lung, the Vatican announced Wednesday, after final pathology results confirmed that the cancer had remained localized.

The 71-year-old pontiff was diagnosed with pulmonary adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer, but doctors determined that no further therapy was necessary following the operation. The findings offer encouraging news about his recovery as he returns to his public responsibilities and prepares for a planned international trip next month.

“A subsequent oncological evaluation has confirmed that no further therapy is required,” said Dr. Stefano Margaritora, the surgeon who led the operation, and Dr. Luigi Carbone, the Pope’s personal physician, in a statement released by the Vatican.

Leo underwent surgery on October 13 at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli University Hospital after doctors discovered a small nodule during routine medical examinations. Before the procedure, the Pope had indicated that the growth was detected at a very early stage and appeared to be well localized.

Surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung using a minimally invasive, video-assisted technique. The approximately 90-minute operation was completed without complications, and an examination conducted during the procedure confirmed the presence of pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer and belongs to a broader category known as non-small cell lung cancer. When the disease is identified before it spreads and the affected tissue can be completely removed, surgery alone may be sufficient treatment.

The final pathology examination was therefore an important step in determining the Pope’s next course of care. Doctors needed to assess whether the cancer had spread beyond the removed portion of the lung, including to nearby lymph nodes. The confirmation that the disease remained localized allowed them to conclude that additional cancer treatment was unnecessary.

Although Leo will not require chemotherapy or radiation, routine medical follow-up is generally expected after lung cancer surgery to monitor recovery and watch for any signs of recurrence.

The Pope was discharged from Gemelli Hospital on October 17 after blood tests and a chest X-ray indicated that his recovery was progressing well. He returned to the Vatican and resumed his public schedule Wednesday, holding his first weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square since the operation.

His return to public duties comes as the Vatican prepares for a demanding overseas visit. Leo is scheduled to travel to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 through November 17.

Margaritora said last week that there were “no clinical reasons” preventing the trip from proceeding. However, Vatican officials could still adjust the schedule depending on the Pope’s recovery and medical needs.

The latest medical update provides reassurance that Leo’s cancer was detected at a stage when surgery could be sufficient, while leaving the pontiff and Vatican officials to balance his ongoing recovery with the responsibilities of his office.