Pope’s surgeon: No clinical reason to cancel visit to South America

In an interview with Vatican News, Professor Stefano Margaritora, who operated on Pope Leo XIV on October 13, says the surgery was routine, though he experienced “a deep feeling I cannot describe.” The Pope needs about another ten days to recover fully and “was an ideal patient.” Read all  

By Andrea Tornielli “I would say there are no clinical reasons why this visit should not take place.” Professor Stefano Margaritora, the surgeon who operated on Pope Leo XIV’s lung on Tuesday, October 13, told Vatican News that, from a medical standpoint, the Pope can undertake the demanding visit to Latin America scheduled for November 6–17. Dr. Margaritora is Professor of Thoracic Surgery at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart and Director of the Thoracic Surgery Unit at the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital Foundation. [ Read Also ] Q: Professor, first of all, how is Pope Leo XIV? At the time of his discharge from the hospital, Pope Leo was in entirely satisfactory clinical condition.

His blood test results were completely normal, and his heart function was fine. The lung’s re-expansion after surgery is proceeding according to the usual timetable. So, overall, his condition is good. Q: Can you tell us how the lung adenocarcinoma was discovered? The discovery of the Pope’s malignant lung tumor was entirely accidental, as unfortunately often happens. During routine abdominal examinations, this small spot was found in the chest, at the base of the lung. This is fairly normal because, when radiological examinations of the abdomen are performed, the lower part of the lungs is