Professor Stefano Margaritora, the surgeon who operated on Pope Leo XIV, says that he sees no medical reason why the pope's upcoming apostolic trip to South America should not go ahead.
PROF. STEFANO MARGARITORA
Surgeon of Pope Leo XIV
Treating him as I would any other patient, I think it takes a couple of weeks to make a truly complete physical recovery after this kind of operation. Since almost a week has already passed, I believe the Pope could be fully recovered in another ten days or so. As for a long trip involving air travel in about three weeks, I would say there are no clinical reasons why it should not take place.
Before his discharge, doctors reviewed his blood tests, examined his heart function and assessed his overall health.
They found the Pope to be in satisfactory clinical condition and recovering as expected.
Professor Margaritoria also told Vatican media that the discovery of the Pope's lung tumor was largely a matter of luck. If it had been elsewhere in the lung, it might have remained undetected.
PROF. STEFANO MARGARITORA
Surgeon of Pope Leo XIV
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 usually visible, since the diaphragm is shaped somewhat like a parachute. However, if this small spot had been a little higher up, it certainly would not have been seen.
Recovery from lung surgery can be challenging, but the surgeon says Pope Leo impressed the entire medical team with his attitude throughout his hospital stay.
PROF. STEFANO MARGARITORA
Surgeon of Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo was an ideal patient. I am not saying that to flatter him. He truly did not cause the slightest problem for the team caring for him, and he would not have done so even if his name had been Mario Bianchi. He was always serene, always smiling, and rarely complained, despite the pain a person inevitably feels, even with all the measures we take.
Pope Leo even went as far as helping other patients:
PROF. STEFANO MARGARITORA
Surgeon of Pope Leo XIVOn the second day after the operation, we turned around and found him arranging the chairs in the chapel himself. We said, “Holy Father, we can do that.” And he replied, “It doesn’t matter. I can do it, so I will.” What can I say? He really was an absolutely ideal patient.
The Pope's trip to South America is scheduled for November 6th to 17th. Although the Pope still needs time to regain his full strength, his surgeon believes there is currently no medical reason to cancel it.
Kate Stevenson
