Pope Leo XIV leaves hospital four days after lung surgery

Pope Leo XIV left Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Saturday, four days after surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his right lung. He greeted people outside the hospital before leaving by car, and his motorcade returned to Vatican City.

His personal physician and surgeon said he was fit for discharge following blood tests and a chest X-ray on Saturday morning, together with an assessment of his clinical condition. The Vatican had initially expected him to remain in hospital until October 20.

Tuesday’s operation lasted 90 minutes and included removal of the lower lobe of the pope’s right lung. Results of further tests to check whether the cancer has spread have not yet been announced.

The Vatican said the pope would give the traditional Angelus prayer and blessing to a crowd in St Peter’s Square on Sunday. He had announced his surgery during the same public appearance the previous week.

Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to leave Rome's Gemelli Polyclinic on Saturday following surgery on his right lung. His medical team said doctors had assessed him as fit to leave the hospital.

Dr. Luigi Carbone and Prof. Stefano Margaritora said their discharge assessment followed blood tests and a chest X-ray performed that morning. Their statement also cited an evaluation of the pope's clinical condition.

Leo was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma. The Lung Cancer Foundation of America identifies it as the most common subtype of non-small cell lung cancer, accounting for roughly 40% of all lung cancer cases.

The American Cancer Society explains that lung adenocarcinoma starts in mucus-producing cells called epithelial cells. These cells line the surface of the lungs.

The medical team's statement also sets out a public engagement for Sunday: the pope is to recite the Angelus prayer from the window of the papal apartment.

The Vatican said the pope had already resumed work activities on Thursday. That return to work came just days after he underwent the operation.

Pope Leo XIV cleared for Saturday discharge after lung surgery

Community discussion