Pope Leo XIV has been cleared to leave Rome’s Gemelli Hospital after surgery to remove a cancerous growth from his right lung, the Vatican said on Saturday. The 71-year-old pontiff is expected to return to the Vatican and lead the Angelus prayer from the window of the papal apartment the following day.
The announcement marks the next stage in the pope’s recovery after doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung during an operation on Tuesday. The Vatican said medical checks, including blood tests and a chest X-ray, showed that he was fit to be discharged.
Pope Leo XIV to continue recovery at the Vatican
According to the Vatican press office, Pope Leo XIV was due to leave Gemelli Hospital in the early afternoon and return to the Vatican. His planned appearance for the Angelus prayer will provide the first clear public indication of how he is recovering outside hospital care.
The pope had been receiving treatment at the Rome hospital since undergoing the procedure. The Vatican has not indicated that his wider schedule will immediately return to normal, and his recovery is expected to remain under medical supervision.
The Angelus is a regular Catholic prayer traditionally led by the pope from the Apostolic Palace window on Sundays and major feast days. The planned appearance therefore carries both religious and public significance, while not necessarily indicating that the pontiff has fully resumed all duties.
What doctors said about the lung operation
The Vatican previously confirmed that the surgery involved removing the lower lobe of the pope’s right lung. It also said doctors had diagnosed a pulmonary adenocarcinoma, a form of lung cancer, following findings identified in pre-operative tests.
The operation lasted around three hours, with the surgical procedure itself taking approximately 90 minutes. The Vatican said at the time that the surgery had been successful and had not resulted in complications.
A chest X-ray carried out on Thursday was described by doctors as showing a “good recovery” of the affected lung. The later assessment, based on the X-ray and blood-test results, allowed doctors to approve the pope’s discharge.
Key points from the Vatican update
- Pope Leo XIV was cleared to leave Gemelli Hospital on Saturday.
- The procedure removed the lower lobe of his right lung.
- The Vatican confirmed a diagnosis of pulmonary adenocarcinoma.
- Doctors said the operation was successful and without complications.
- Blood tests and a chest X-ray supported the decision to discharge him.
- He was expected to lead the Angelus prayer from the Vatican the following day.
Why the discharge matters
The pope’s discharge is an important development for the Vatican because it moves his care from hospital treatment to recovery at home. It also gives Catholics and observers a scheduled opportunity to see him after the operation.
However, leaving hospital does not mean that the medical episode is over. Recovery after lung surgery can require rest, monitoring and gradual adjustments to daily activity. The Vatican’s statements have focused on the successful procedure and improving medical results, but they have not provided a detailed timetable for the pope’s return to every public or administrative responsibility.
The announcement is also significant because the pope’s health can affect the public programme of the Holy See, including liturgies, meetings and diplomatic engagements. Any changes to those commitments would depend on medical advice and future Vatican communications.
What happens next?
The immediate next step is Pope Leo XIV’s return to the Vatican and his planned Angelus appearance. Further updates are likely to focus on his recovery, medical follow-up and the pace at which he resumes public activities.
For now, the confirmed position is that doctors consider the pontiff well enough to leave hospital after a successful operation. The Vatican remains the primary source for information about his condition, treatment and schedule.
Conclusion
Pope Leo XIV has been cleared for discharge after surgery to remove a cancerous growth from his right lung, with medical tests indicating that his recovery is progressing. His planned Angelus appearance will be closely watched, but the Vatican’s update confirms hospital discharge rather than a complete end to his medical care. The focus now shifts to his continued recovery at the Vatican and any future announcements about his public duties.
