Pope Leo leaves hospital for Vatican four days after lung cancer surgery

Pope Leo has returned to the Vatican following a four-day stay in hospital, where he underwent surgery for lung cancer. The 71-year-old Pope underwent the procedure to remove the lower lobe of his right lung on Tuesday. After the surgery, his doctors conducted blood tests and chest imaging, which revealed he was well enough to return home.

On Saturday, Pope Leo walked unaided to his waiting car at Rome's Gemelli Hospital to speak to well-wishers before departing for the Vatican. He will hold his first public engagement since his surgery on Sunday, leading weekly prayers with pilgrims in St. Peter's Square. Pope Leo was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer, a diagnosis that came as a shock given that he was elected Pope in May 2025.

His doctors stated that the surgery went smoothly without any complications. However, they have yet to disclose the exact size of the tumor or whether the cancer had spread to nearby lymph nodes, which are crucial factors in determining the prognosis.