Pope awaits pathology results while doctors weigh post-surgery travel and treatment timing

The Pope was discharged following a thoracoscopic lobectomy and is now in the Vatican awaiting histological analysis of lymph nodes to determine if additional cancer treatment is required. He is performing basic wound care and will have his stitches removed a week after surgery, while also beginning pulmonary rehabilitation at the Gemelli hospital. Experts explain that, because no specific studies exist, they typically recommend a one-to-two-month delay before air travel to avoid pressure-related complications at the surgical site.

Should the pathology be negative, surgery alone may suffice; a positive result could lead to targeted therapy, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy, usually initiated one to two months post-operation. The Pope’s planned South American visit is slated for early November, pending medical clearance.