Pope Leo discharged from hospital on Saturday, four days after surgery: news

Pope Leo Discharged from Hospital on Saturday Following Successful Lung Surgery

ROME Pope Leo XIV was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Saturday afternoon, returning to the Vatican just four days after undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous nodule from his right lung.

The 71-year-old pontiff walked unassisted to his waiting car outside the hospital’s main entrance, pausing briefly to greet well-wishers and smile at gathered crowds before his motorcade departed for Vatican City. Medical staff confirmed he made a rapid recovery following the 90-minute operation earlier in the week, in which surgeons successfully excised the lower lobe of his right lung without complications.

Key Details of Pope Leo’s Recovery and Vatican Schedule

• Medical Status: Doctors confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer, noting that blood work and follow-up chest imaging showed steady postoperative healing.

  LEADERSHIP Newspapers

• Hospital Stay: Admitted earlier in the week for the scheduled procedure, Pope Leo spent four days under observation at the Gemelli Polyclinic, where he resumed light duties and celebrated Mass from his recovery suite.

  LEADERSHIP Newspapers

• Public Return: The Vatican confirmed that the Pope is scheduled to lead the traditional Angelus prayer from his studio window overlooking St. Peter’s Square on Sunday at noon, marking his first public appearance since the operation.

  CTV News