Pope discharged from hospital days after lung cancer surgery

Pope Leo XIV has been released from the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, just four days after undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous growth from his lung. The 71-year-old walked unassisted to his car, pausing to interact with admirers. The Vatican announced that the Pope will deliver the traditional Angelus prayer and blessing to an audience in St Peter’s Square on Sunday, mirroring his surprise announcement of the operation last week.

Images released on Friday showed the Pope administering Mass and offering communion to hospital staff. Doctors reported on Friday that blood tests and a chest X-ray revealed "steady improvement" following the 90-minute surgery on Tuesday, which involved the removal of the lower lobe of the Pope's right lung. Further tests to determine if the cancer has metastasized have yet to yield results.

The Pope also conversed with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, their first dialogue since June 2025, to encourage "dialogue and peace." This conversation occurred as Russia's relentless shelling of Ukrainian cities persists, causing a mounting number of civilian casualties, and no indication that Putin is prepared to cease the invasion.