Pope Leo XIV embraces pediatric patients at CNAO in Pavia

On the 20^th of June, Pope Leo XIV visited the National Centre for Oncological Hadrontherapy (CNAO) to meet pediatric patients and their families. In a separate stride toward clinical excellence, the center continues its mission of patient-centered care by preparing for the world’s first integration of Marie® upright radiotherapy with carbon-ion therapy.

Pope Leo XIV recently visited the National Centre for Oncological Hadrontherapy (CNAO) in Pavia, meeting pediatric patients, their families and clinical teams in a powerful recognition of the vital work being carried out in cancer care.

As one of the world’s leading centers for hadrontherapy, CNAO provides advanced proton and carbon-ion treatments for patients with complex and difficult-to-treat cancers. During his visit, the Pope spent time with children undergoing treatment, highlighting the importance of compassionate, patient-centered care alongside continued advances in medical technology.

In an independent but parallel commitment to advancing oncology, CNAO is approaching a significant milestone: preparing to become the first facility in the world to combine Leo Cancer Care’s upright radiation therapy solution, Marie®, with its pioneering carbon-ion therapy system.

Rooted in early technical collaborations with the European physics community, uniting national universities, clinical institutions, and research centers, CNAO’s carbon-ion technology represents one of the most advanced forms of radiation therapy available today. The upcoming integration of Marie® will create a world-first treatment environment, bringing together two groundbreaking innovations in cancer care.

By enabling patients to receive treatment in a natural upright position, Marie® is designed to improve patient comfort, streamline clinical workflows and unlock new possibilities in treatment delivery.

This pioneering partnership is designed to support clinical innovation and the continued evolution of particle therapy. For pediatric patients, where comfort, precision and minimizing treatment burden are especially important, advances such as these have the potential to make a meaningful impact.

The Director General of the Centro Nazionale di Adroterapia Oncologica, Dr. Sandro Rossi, remarked on the collaboration with Leo Cancer Care (LCC):

“This synergy between upright positioning technologies and our clinical expertise does more: it reinforces our commitment to delivering accessible, human-centric, individually tailored and advanced oncological solutions. We look forward to working closely with the Leo Cancer Care team as we move toward installation, commissioning and first patient treatments.”

As CNAO continues to independently push the boundaries of particle therapy, the introduction of Marie® marks the next phase of clinical innovation at the center – bringing the world’s first upright carbon-ion treatment capability into clinical practice.

Ultimately, Pope Leo XIV’s visit served as a profound reminder that advances in cancer care are ultimately about people: patients, families and healthcare professionals working together in the face of challenging diagnoses. Meanwhile, as CNAO continues to lead the way technological innovation, the upcoming installation of Marie® alongside the center’s carbon-ion system represents a separate, yet equally crucial, step towards improving the future of cancer treatment.