Pope Leo XIV Discharged from Hospital Following Lung Surgery

Pope Leo XIV has been discharged from Gemelli Hospital in Rome, returning to the Vatican just five days after a major operation to remove a cancerous growth from his lung. The 71-year-old leader, who became the first US-born head of the Roman Catholic Church last year, was seen walking out of the hospital on Saturday afternoon without any physical support. He stopped briefly to wave to well-wishers who had gathered to support him.

According to BBC News, the Pope’s medical team, led by Professor Stefano Margaritora and personal physician Dr. Luigi Carbone, confirmed that the decision to discharge him followed positive results from recent blood tests and a chest X-ray. These tests showed that his condition is improving steadily. The surgery, which took place on Tuesday and lasted 90 minutes, involved the removal of the lower lobe of his right lung to extract a tumor identified as adenocarcinoma. The Guardian World reports that this is the most common type of lung cancer, and doctors are currently waiting for further test results to determine if the cancer has spread or if additional treatment will be necessary.

Despite the serious nature of the surgery, the Pope has remained active during his hospital stay. NPR News notes that he celebrated Mass in a private room on the 10th floor of the hospital before his departure. Furthermore, the Vatican announced that the Pope held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday. During this conversation, the Pope urged for a ceasefire—an agreement to stop fighting—in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky. He specifically requested that this pause in fighting be used to allow for the safe delivery of food and medicine to residents, who have been struggling under constant shelling.

This rapid recovery has come as a surprise to many, as the Vatican had initially estimated that the Pope would need to stay in the hospital for at least a week. While his public schedule remains cleared until October 20, the Vatican confirmed that he will return to his duties this Sunday to lead the traditional Angelus prayer and blessing from the window of the papal apartment. This is a significant step, as the Pope had shocked the world just last week when he personally announced his diagnosis and upcoming surgery during the same Sunday prayer event.

Looking ahead, there is growing interest in whether the Pope will be able to maintain his international travel plans. He is scheduled to visit Latin America in early November, including a trip to Peru, where he previously served as a missionary. While some might expect a long recovery, his surgeon, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, told Vatican media that there are currently no clinical reasons to prevent the trip. He noted that the Pope has shown great dedication to his recovery and expects him to be fully recovered in about ten days. Experts not involved in his care, such as Dr. Vin Gupta of the American Lung Association, have noted that the Pope’s general health and active lifestyle—which includes playing tennis and riding horses—likely contributed to his robust recovery.

For now, the focus remains on his immediate health and the upcoming results of his post-surgery tests. The Vatican has not yet announced any further medical procedures. For Catholics around the world, the Pope’s quick return home and his plan to appear in public so soon provide a sense of relief following a week of concern regarding his health. As he settles back into the Vatican, the international community will be watching closely to see if he can successfully return to his full schedule and proceed with his planned diplomatic travels next month.