Pope Leo XIV has been discharged from Rome’s Agostino Gemelli University Hospital and returned to the Vatican, four days after undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous portion of his right lung.
The 71-year-old pontiff left the hospital on Saturday, October 17, 2026, walking unaided and greeting well-wishers who had gathered outside the facility. Smiling and waving to the crowd, he briefly responded to those nearby, saying, “I am better, thank you,” before leaving in a black vehicle.
According to his medical team, morning blood tests, a chest X-ray and clinical evaluations indicated that he was well enough to continue his recovery outside the hospital. His discharge came earlier than initially anticipated, as doctors had expected his hospital stay to last approximately one week.
Following his return to the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV is expected to resume a key public responsibility on Sunday, October 18, by leading the traditional Angelus prayer and delivering a blessing from the window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter’s Square.
The Vatican had previously cancelled his public audiences through October 20 to allow time for recovery. His planned appearance would mark an early return to public duties following the operation, although his medical team will continue to monitor his condition.
The Pope was admitted to Gemelli Hospital on October 13 after medical examinations identified a small, localised nodule in his right lung. He had previously disclosed the finding to pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square on October 11, describing it as having been detected at an early stage.
Surgeons subsequently performed a video assisted thoracoscopic procedure to remove the affected tissue. The operation involved removing the lower lobe of his right lung, with an examination during surgery confirming pulmonary adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer.
The procedure was reported to have been successful, with no complications. Following surgery, Leo began respiratory physiotherapy, resumed eating normally and gradually increased his physical activity while continuing some work from his hospital room.
Although his early recovery has been encouraging, further details about the cancer’s staging and whether additional treatment will be necessary have not been fully disclosed.
The Vatican is also preparing for the pontiff’s planned trip to Latin America in November, which is expected to include Peru, where he spent years serving as a missionary. Whether the trip proceeds as scheduled may depend on his recovery in the coming weeks.