by Kate Stevenson

Professor Stefano Margaritora, the surgeon who operated on Pope Leo XIV, said he sees no medical reason why the pope’s upcoming apostolic trip to South America should not go ahead.

“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,” Margaritora said. “Since almost a week has already passed, I believe the pope could be fully recovered in another 10 days or so.”

He added that there are currently no clinical reasons the pope should avoid a long trip involving air travel in about three weeks.

Before his discharge, doctors reviewed Pope Leo’s blood tests, examined his heart function and assessed his overall health. They found him to be in satisfactory clinical condition and recovering as expected.

Margaritora also told Vatican media that the discovery of the pope’s lung tumor was largely a matter of luck. Had it been located elsewhere in the lung, he said, it might have remained undetected.

“During routine abdominal examinations, this small spot was found in the chest, at the base of the lung,” Margaritora said. “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.”

He added that if the spot had been located slightly higher, it likely would not have been seen.

Recovery from lung surgery can be challenging, but Margaritora said Pope Leo impressed the medical team with his attitude throughout his hospital stay.

“Pope Leo was an ideal patient,” he said. “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.”

Margaritora said the pope remained serene and smiling and rarely complained, despite the pain that can follow surgery.

The pope also helped other patients during his recovery.

“On the second day after the operation, we turned around and found him arranging the chairs in the chapel himself,” Margaritora said. “We said, ‘Holy Father, we can do that.’ And he replied, ‘It doesn’t matter. I can do it, so I will.’”

He added, “What can I say? He really was an absolutely ideal patient.”

Pope Leo’s trip to South America is scheduled for Nov. 6-17. Although he still needs time to regain his full strength, Margaritora said there is currently no medical reason to cancel the trip.