Pope Leo discharged from hospital after lung cancer surgery

Pope Leo XIV was released from the hospital on Saturday, four days after undergoing surgery to remove the lower portion of his right lung due to a lung cancer diagnosis. The 71-year-old pontiff returned to the Vatican after doctors deemed him fit to leave the Gemelli Hospital in Rome. The Pope exited the hospital unaided and greeted well-wishers outside, according to Reuters.

His discharge was contingent on successful blood tests and chest imaging conducted earlier that day. The surgical procedure, carried out on Tuesday, involved the removal of the affected lung lobe and was deemed successful with no complications. The operation was prompted by the discovery of a suspicious nodule in his right lung.

The diagnosis was confirmed as lung adenocarcinoma, the most prevalent type of lung cancer. Earlier reports also noted that Pope Leo's brother is also battling cancer. The Vatican announced on Saturday that the Pope would lead the Angelus prayer on Sunday from the window of his apartment overlooking St Peter’s Square, marking his first public appearance since the surgery.

At this time, the Vatican has not disclosed the size of the tumor or whether the cancer had metastasized to nearby lymph nodes, as this information is crucial for determining the prognosis. As the first American to assume the role of the Roman Catholic Church's leader, elected in May 2025, Pope Leo's health is a topic of significant public interest.