Professor Stefano Margaritora, who operated on Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday, has said the pontiff is recovering well and should be able to make his planned trip to South America in three weeks’ time.
Margaritora, who removed the lower lobe of the Pope’s right lung, told Vatican News that the Pope needs about another ten days to recover fully and “was an ideal patient.”
Surgeon’s assessment
Prof Margaritora, who is Professor of Thoracic Surgery at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, said that from a medical standpoint the Pope can undertake the demanding visit to Latin America scheduled for November 6–17.
He said: “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.”
Recovery progress
The Pope was discharged from the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital in Rome on October 17, following the surgery. Margaritora said Pope Leo was making a full recovery.
