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Pope Leo Discharged After Lung Cancer Surgery, Returns to Vatican
Pope Leo Discharged After Lung Cancer Surgery, Returns to Vatican
Pope Leo XIV has returned to the Vatican after doctors discharged him from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, four days after surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung.
Doctors cleared the 71-year-old pontiff to leave the hospital after blood tests and a chest X-ray on Saturday showed that his clinical condition was satisfactory enough for him to continue his recovery outside the facility.
The Vatican says Pope Leo will lead Sunday’s noonday Angelus from the window of the Apostolic Palace, marking his first scheduled public appearance since undergoing the lung operation.
Tests conducted during Tuesday’s surgery confirmed the nodule was lung adenocarcinoma, but doctors reported that the operation was successful and without complications.
October 17, () – Pope Leo XIV was discharged from Rome’s Agostino Gemelli University Hospital on Saturday and returned to the papal apartments in Vatican City, four days after undergoing surgery for lung cancer, with the Vatican announcing that he will lead the traditional Angelus prayer on Sunday.
The 71-year-old pontiff was allowed to leave the hospital after fresh medical examinations, including blood tests and a chest X-ray, confirmed that his clinical condition was satisfactory for discharge.
The Holy See Press Office announced on Saturday morning that the Pope would be released from hospital following his recovery from Tuesday’s thoracic surgery.
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In a medical update, Dr Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora said the results of examinations conducted on Saturday showed that Pope Leo was fit to leave the Gemelli Hospital.
reports that the pontiff left the hospital on Saturday afternoon and returned to his residence at the Vatican.
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Before departing Gemelli, Pope Leo celebrated Mass in a room designated for worship on the 10th floor of the hospital, according to Vatican News.
Pope to Lead Sunday Angelus
Pope Leo XIV
In a separate announcement on Saturday, the Holy See Press Office said Pope Leo would lead the noonday Angelus prayer on Sunday from the window of the Apostolic Palace.
The appearance will be the Pope’s first scheduled public engagement since his hospitalisation and surgery.
The Angelus, traditionally delivered by the Pope on Sundays and major feast days, usually attracts thousands of pilgrims and visitors to St Peter’s Square and is followed by Catholics around the world.
He is expected to continue recuperating at the papal apartments following his discharge.
Cancer Confirmed During Surgery
Pope Leo was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital on Tuesday for a scheduled operation to remove a nodule discovered in his lung.
The Vatican said the thoracic surgery proceeded as planned, with doctors removing the lower lobe of his right lung.
An intraoperative histological examination subsequently established that the nodule was malignant and confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma.
“The intraoperative histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, as suspected by the preoperative tests,” the Vatican said in its medical bulletin.
The Pope spent about three hours in the operating room, although the surgical procedure itself lasted approximately 90 minutes. Doctors said there were no complications.
“The surgery was successful, and there were no complications,” the medical statement said.
Following the procedure, Pope Leo was returned to his hospital room, where doctors continued to monitor his recovery until Saturday’s discharge.
Nodule Detected at Early Stage
The Pope had personally disclosed the medical development days before the operation, telling the public on Sunday that doctors had discovered a nodule in his lung and advised surgical intervention.
Leo said the abnormality had been found at a “very initial phase” and was “well localized.”
“The doctors think it is opportune to intervene,” he said.
His disclosure came ahead of the Vatican’s confirmation that he would be admitted to Gemelli for the procedure.
A lung, or pulmonary, nodule is a small mass of dense tissue found in the lung. Such nodules may develop from infections, inflammation, scar tissue, or cancer and are commonly detected through imaging examinations, including X-rays and CT scans.
While many lung nodules are benign, further examination is required to determine whether a growth is malignant. In Pope Leo’s case, tissue examination during surgery confirmed adenocarcinoma.
The cancer diagnosis and surgery represent the most serious publicly disclosed health challenge for Pope Leo since his election as head of the Roman Catholic Church in May 2025.
Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, United States, Leo became the 267th pontiff and the first American Pope following his election.
Before becoming Pope, Prevost spent many years as a missionary and church leader in Peru before serving in senior positions at the Vatican.
His hospitalisation prompted prayers from Catholic communities around the world.
While the Pope was undergoing treatment, Cardinal Baldassare Reina, Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome, participated in prayers at the Gemelli Hospital chapel for his recovery and for other patients receiving treatment.
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