Pope Leo XIV began his pastoral visit to the Italian city of Pavia on June 20, 2026, by stopping at the National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy (CNAO). This choice underscores his dedication to fostering dialogue between scientific progress and the relief of human suffering.
CNAO: A Leader in Cancer Treatment
CNAO President Gianluca Vago and General Manager Sandro Rossi welcomed the Holy Father, showcasing the center's unique capabilities. CNAO is one of the few facilities worldwide that offers hadrontherapy using both protons and carbon ions. The core of its technology is a synchrotron, a particle accelerator that generates ultra-precise beams to treat complex, inoperable, and radioresistant tumours. This approach targets diseased cells while sparing healthy tissues, improving patient survival and quality of life.
Expanding Technological Frontiers
CNAO is expanding its offerings as a premier multi-center using new ion species like helium, oxygen, and neon. Upcoming treatments will incorporate the Leo Cancer Care upright positioning system, a Hitachi dedicated proton accelerator, and a BNCT system for metastatic diseases with an electrostatic accelerator from TAE Life Science. These innovations will make CNAO one of the most technologically advanced centers globally.
To date, over six thousand patients, including around three hundred children and adolescents, have benefited from these treatments.
A Personal Touch from the Pope
During his visit, the Pope met with CNAO's Board of Directors, which includes representatives from universities, clinical institutions, and research centers. He also greeted the center's two hundred employees—doctors, physicists, engineers, and researchers—who operate the advanced technologies for oncology patients.
The emotional highlight was a private gathering with young paediatric patients and their families. The Pope embraced the children, offering comfort and hope.
Quotes of Gratitude and Vision
“The visit of Pope Leo XIV honours us and represents a moment of extraordinary human value,” said CNAO President Gianluca Vago. “In his encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, the Holy Father emphasizes the need for science that safeguards the person and directs technology toward the common good. In a time of global tensions, CNAO shows how the atom's power can heal rather than destroy. The particle beams are Rays of Hope, supporting the IAEA project of the same name. The Holy Father's embrace reminds us that research finds its true purpose in listening, compassion, and hope.”
