The pontiff was discharged from a Rome hospital four days after having a lung lobe removed, with plans to resume public duties on Sunday.
Pope Leo returned to the Vatican on Saturday, four days after undergoing surgery for lung cancer at Rome’s Gemelli hospital. The 71-year-old pontiff walked out of the hospital alongside his surgeon, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, before departing in a black SUV as onlookers shouted “Holiness.” When asked about his condition as he was driven away, Leo said, according to PBS NewsHour, “I am much better, thank you.”
Before leaving the facility, Leo greeted patients inside and paused to meet a 13-year-old Ukrainian girl. She presented him with a homemade papal doll that she said had helped her through successful cancer treatment following an encounter with Leo in St. Peter’s Square last December. The pontiff’s car entered the gates of the Vatican 10 minutes after driving away from the hospital.
Diagnosis and recovery in the hospital
The pontiff’s discharge follows earlier questions after Pope Leo XIV faces uncertain South America tour after cancer surgery. Doctors operated on Leo on Tuesday, removing the lower lobe of his right lung. The procedure confirmed that he had adenocarcinoma, which is the most common form of lung cancer, Al Jazeera reported. The Vatican had initially estimated a weeklong hospital stay and had canceled his public audiences through Tuesday, but doctors permitted an earlier release as his condition improved.
While hospitalized, Leo remained active and maintained communication with outside leaders. He spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin, held meetings with senior aides, and celebrated Mass in a makeshift chapel set up in the hospital. Bulletins issued by his personal physician and his surgeon reported that he was handling normal daily routines entirely on his own. On Friday, the Vatican released images of Leo wearing green vestments while standing at an altar in the chapel, where he presided alone and gave Communion to medical staff and Vatican gendarmes. In a homily recounted by Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, Leo thanked the hospital staff “for the work they do every day taking care of the sick in their fragility, and in a particular way what they had done for him,” according to Bruni.
Resuming duties and upcoming travel
Leo is scheduled to resume public duties on Sunday by giving the traditional Angelus blessing to the faithful from St. Peter’s Square, one week after announcing that doctors had discovered a lung nodule. Leo, who hails from Chicago, is the first pope from the United States, as well as a naturalized Peruvian citizen who spent decades living and working in South America.
His recovery comes as the Vatican prepares for his planned tour of Latin America. PBS NewsHour reported that the trip is scheduled from Nov. 6-17, while Al Jazeera reported it will take place in mid-November. The demanding journey requires about a dozen flights and two helicopter trips across the region, giving the pontiff roughly three weeks to recuperate before departure. The Vatican indicated that travel plans are moving forward by publishing a list of accredited journalists scheduled to fly aboard the papal aircraft. Oncology surgeons state that patients are generally cleared for air travel three weeks after this type of surgery if their recovery allows.
Awaiting further test results
Doctors are still waiting for test results that will determine the precise molecular and genetic profile of the tumor. Those findings will reveal whether the cancer spread beyond the removed lung lobe and whether the pontiff will require any additional medical treatment.
