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Pope Leo XIV Discharged After Lung Cancer Surgery
· Confirmed
In Short: Pope Leo XIV was discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Saturday, four days after undergoing surgery for lung cancer.
Pope Leo XIV was discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Saturday, four days after undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his right lung. The 71-year-old pontiff left the hospital unaided at about 3:30 p.m., waving to well-wishers and journalists outside Gemelli Hospital.
Doctors at Gemelli Hospital confirmed that Pope Leo's condition had steadily improved, with blood tests and a chest X-ray showing positive results. The surgery, which removed the lower lobe of his right lung, was successful in treating the lung adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer.
In a statement, the Vatican press office said Pope Leo had celebrated Mass at noon in a room set up on the 10th floor of the hospital, where he is recovering. The Mass was attended by off-duty medical staff and members of the Vatican Gendarmerie.
Pope Leo expressed gratitude to the medical staff for their care during his hospitalization. In his homily, he thanked the doctors, nurses, and orderlies for their daily work caring for patients, especially for their efforts on his behalf.
The Vatican spokesman, Matteo Bruni, noted that while the Pope's recovery was progressing well, logistical arrangements for his Sunday Angelus address were still being finalized. He also cautioned against expecting an immediate discharge, emphasizing the importance of following the medical team's guidance.
The Pope's personal physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, and Professor Stefano Margaritora, the chief surgeon, confirmed that Pope Leo was well enough to leave the hospital and return to the Vatican. They noted that the Pope continues to receive respiratory physiotherapy and is carrying out his normal daily activities independently.
Pope Leo's discharge comes after a series of updates indicating a steady improvement in his health. The Vatican had previously announced that the Pope would continue to undergo routine postoperative checks and that his recovery was progressing normally.
The Pope's transparency about his health condition, including his announcement last Sunday to the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, has been noted as a significant gesture of openness. He had also held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and met with top aides during his hospital stay.
The Vatican released the first images of Pope Leo since his surgery, showing him standing up at an altar in a hospital chapel in green vestments, as doctors said that tests confirmed his “continued improvement.”
What this adds
The discharge of Pope Leo XIV from Gemelli Hospital marks a significant milestone in his recovery from lung cancer surgery. This event aligns with previous updates indicating steady improvement in his health condition.
The Pope's decision to celebrate Mass and interact with medical staff and the Gendarmerie while in the hospital highlights his continued engagement with his duties and the importance of his role as a spiritual leader during his recovery.
The Vatican's transparent communication about the Pope's health and recovery process has been noted as a positive development, fostering public trust and support during this period.
Background
Pope Leo XIV was discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Saturday, four days after undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his right lung.
Pope Leo XIV was discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Saturday after undergoing surgery for lung cancer.
What's confirmed
- Add ANI As A Trusted Source For Reliable Information ANI | Updated: Oct 16, 2026 19:13 IST Rome [Italy], October 16 (ANI): The Vatican on Friday released the first picture of Pope Leo XIV following his surgery, as the Pontiff attended Mass at Rome 's Gemelli Hospital and doctors reported a steady improvement in his overall health condition.
- The 71-year-old Pontiff was admitted to Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday for surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung following the detection of a mass.
- The Vatican added that the Pope continues to undergo respiratory physiotherapy and is carrying out his normal daily activities entirely independently as he recovers.
- Photos released on Friday showed the pontiff celebrating Mass at Rome's Gemelli Hospital unaided.
- Pope Leo XIV is recovering at Gemelli Hospital after surgery for lung cancer, and more than 2,000 of you have now written to him.
- The pope walked out of Rome’s Gemelli Hospital at about 3:30 p.m.
What's still developing
- Intraoperative tissue analysis confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, a form of lung cancer.
- One of the letters sent to Pope Leo XIV by children hospitalized in the oncology department of Gemelli Hospital on Oct. 16, 2026. | Credit: Gemelli Hospital The letter from Giorgia, an 18-year-old young woman, explained how illness transformed her way of understanding life.
- The statement was significant, showing Leo was well enough to conduct official diplomatic business from the Gemelli hospital, was keeping up with world events and was continuing to promote his message of peace as he recovers from surgery.
- The 71-year-old leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics walked unaided to his waiting car, stopping to speak to well-wishers outside Gemelli Hospital in Rome.
- "He will leave the hospital in the early afternoon and return to the Vatican. Tomorrow, he will lead the Angelus prayer from the window of the papal apartment."
Sources
- ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videoslink
- Angelus Newslink
- Bangkok Postlink
- Castanetlink
- DWlink
- Ewtnnewslink
- Fox Newslink
- NBC Newslink
- NPRlink
- National Catholic Registerlink
- OSV Newslink
- The-Journallink
- Thelettersfromleolink
- Vatican Newslink
- Thecatholictelegraphlink
- CBS Newslink
- CBS Philadelphia — video link