Pope Leo Returns to Vatican After Successful Cancer Surgery

Pope Leo returned to the Vatican on Saturday, four days after undergoing surgery at Rome's Gemelli Hospital to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. The 71-year-old was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer. According to the Jerusalem Post, his doctors determined he was well enough to return home following blood tests and chest imaging. Dawn reports that doctors Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora issued a note stating the pope was fit for discharge.

While leaving the hospital, the pope was seen walking and greeted well-wishers. PBS NewsHour reports that he greeted patients alongside his surgeon, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, and paused to speak with a 13-year-old Ukrainian girl named Varvara, who presented him with a homemade papal doll. As he was driven away in a black SUV, the pope told onlookers, "I am much better, thank you," according to PBS NewsHour. NDTV observed him smiling while shaking hands and waving as he exited the building.

The pope is expected to resume some duties on Sunday. The Jerusalem Post reports he will lead weekly prayers with pilgrims in St. Peter's Square at noon GMT, while PBS NewsHour notes he is set to greet the faithful with the traditional Angelus blessing.

Brief written by urgent.news from NDTV, Jerusalem Post, PBS NewsHour Health, PBS NewsHour, Dawn — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.