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Pope Leads Prayer After Discharge from Lung Cancer Surgery
· Confirmed
In Short: Pope Leo XIV led pilgrims in prayer in St. Peter's Square one day after being discharged from the hospital following lung cancer surgery.
Pope Leo XIV led pilgrims in prayer in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, just one day after being discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital following surgery for lung cancer, according to reports from the BBC (United Kingdom) and Kyivpost (Ukraine).
The BBC reported that the Pope's surgery on Tuesday lasted 90 minutes and involved the removal of the lower lobe of his right lung. The Vatican stated that the Pope underwent blood tests and a chest X-ray in the morning, confirming his clinical condition allowed for his discharge.
Kyivpost noted that the Pope also spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, urging him to agree to a ceasefire in the occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky to allow aid deliveries and civilian evacuations.
According to the BBC, the Pope's schedule has been cleared until October 20, making his reappearance in public a surprise and a relief for Catholics worldwide. The Pope expressed his desire to gradually resume his regular activities, as stated by Vatican officials.
The Times of Israel and aapnews.com.au (Australia) reported that the Pope's personal physician and surgeon said he was deemed fit for discharge based on blood test results and a chest X-ray performed on Saturday morning.
The Pope's call for a humanitarian ceasefire in Oleshky was also reported by the Kyivpost and Newsweek. The Vatican said the Pope made an appeal for Russia to make a gesture that would favor peace, emphasizing the importance of dialogue to create positive contacts between the parties in conflict.
The BBC and Kyivpost both reported that the Pope celebrated Mass and distributed communion to hospital staff on Friday, while the Times of Israel noted that the Vatican released the first images of the Pope since his surgery, showing him celebrating Mass.
The BBC and Kyivpost agreed that the Pope's call to Putin was to urge 'dialogue and peace,' and to allow for the evacuation of civilians and the delivery of food and medicine in Oleshky.
The BBC and Kyivpost both reported that the Pope's discharge was announced by his attending physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, and the surgeon who performed the operation, Professor Stefano Margaritora.
The Pope thanked those who had prayed for him in recent days, saying he had truly sensed their support. He also emphasized the importance of putting the Gospel into practice by welcoming and supporting those in need.
In conclusion, the BBC (United Kingdom) and Kyivpost (Ukraine) agreed that Pope Leo XIV led pilgrims in prayer in St. Peter's Square one day after being discharged from the hospital following lung cancer surgery, and that he called for a humanitarian ceasefire in Oleshky to allow for aid deliveries and civilian evacuations.
What this adds
The Pope's call for a humanitarian ceasefire in Oleshky was a significant diplomatic move, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.
The Pope's discharge and immediate return to public duties underscored his commitment to his papal responsibilities despite his health challenges.
Background
Pope Leo XIV led pilgrims in prayer in St. Peter's Square one day after being discharged from the hospital following lung cancer surgery.
What's confirmed
- The Pope also spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, in their first call since June 2025.
- About 15 minutes after leaving the hospital, the car carrying him entered Vatican City through the Perugino Gate.
- His personal physician and surgeon said in a separate statement that Leo was “deemed fit for discharge from the hospital” based on blood test results and a chest X-ray performed on Saturday morning along with an assessment of his clinical condition.
- Pope Leo XIV “spoke by telephone” with Vladimir Putin, the president of the Russian Federation, from his room in the Gemelli Hospital on Oct. 16 and asked him to call for a ceasefire in Oleshky, a city in the Ukrainian region of Kherson, where the humanitarian situation is dire, the Vatican said in a note sent to the accredited media before noon EDT.
- Pope Leo XIV left Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Saturday afternoon and returned to the Vatican after doctors said he was well enough to be discharged following surgery that removed part of his right lung.
- His discharge from the hospital was announced by the Pontiff’s attending physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, and the surgeon who performed the operation, Professor Stefano Margaritora.
What's still developing
- The Vatican said the Pope will give the traditional Angelus prayer and blessing to a crowd in St Peter's Square on Sunday, as he did last week when he surprised the world by announcing the surgery.
- Those close to the Pope said he was keen not to delay a trip to Latin America, planned for early November and which includes a visit to Peru, where he was a missionary for many years.
- "I am better, thank you," Leo XIV said as he was driven away in a black SUV.
- The prayer that the Holy Father cited is especially popular in Spanish-speaking countries, where it is often taught to children, as the first petitions rhyme.
- At that time, she was preparing for surgery, and the Pope hugged her and offered words of encouragement.
- “The Holy Father underwent thoracic surgery as scheduled. To ensure the radical removal of the tumor, the lower lobe of the right lung was removed using a video-assisted technique. An intraoperative histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, as suspected from preoperative tests,” the Holy See Press Office said in a statement concerning the operation performed Tuesday afternoon at Romeʼs Agostino Gemelli University Hospital.
- Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ... the comedian and longtime Las Vegas performer, whose real name is Scott Thompson, attempted suicide on Friday in the Vegas area and was rushed to a local hospital.
- She passed away peacefully at the Beacon Hospital in south Dublin, “following a period of illness”, a representative said.
- On Thursday, he resumed "a little bit of work activity, " including reading documents, and co-celebrated Mass, Vatican officials said.
- Dr. Stefano Margaritora told Vatican News there were “no clinical reasons” preventing the pontiff from making his planned trip to Latin America next month.
- He was set to leave Gemelli hospital in the early afternoon and return to the Vatican, the Vatican said in a brief statement.
- Oleshky and its surrounding communities are estimated to have more than 6,000 civilians remaining there, including some 200 children, who are “effectively trapped in a ‘gray zone’ near the front line,” said UCCRO.