Pope Leo XIV Leaves Hospital After Lung Cancer Surgery

Pope Leo XIV was discharged from Gemelli hospital on Saturday, four days after undergoing surgery for lung cancer. The 71-year-old pontiff was seen walking unaided and smiling as he left the hospital, eliciting cheers from well-wishers. He briefly spoke with his medical team and a young cancer survivor before heading back to the Vatican.

Doctors have indicated that Pope Leo XIV is in satisfactory clinical condition and estimate he will require another ten days for a full recovery. The surgery involved the removal of a cancerous tumor from the lower part of his right lung. The Vatican has announced that the pope plans to recite the Angelus prayer from his Apostolic Palace window on Sunday.

Despite the recent health scare, the pope has resumed some work, notably making a call to Russian President Vladimir Putin to advocate for a ceasefire in Ukraine. His doctors have expressed confidence that a planned papal voyage to South America in November will proceed as scheduled, believing there are no clinical reasons to postpone it.