Pope Leo to leave hospital Saturday, lead Sunday Angelus

VATICAN CITY, Oct 17 — Following steady progress in his recovery, Pope Leo XIV will be discharged from Gemelli Hospital on Saturday, according to the Holy See Press Office. The doctors, Dr Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora, reported that blood tests and a chest X-ray conducted on Saturday confirmed his clinical condition was suitable for his departure.

The Pope will leave the hospital in the early afternoon and return to the Vatican, where he will resume his activities. He is expected to lead the Angelus prayer from the window of his apartment the following day. Before leaving, the Pope is anticipated to hold Mass in the designated room on the hospital's 10th floor. The announcement comes after several days of updates indicating his consistent improvement.

On Friday, his doctors confirmed continued positive trends after blood tests and a chest X-ray. During his hospital stay, the Pope had also led Mass for hospital staff, offering Communion and expressing gratitude to the medical team. Despite his hospitalization, he maintained diplomatic duties, including a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to address the humanitarian crisis in Oleshky, Ukraine's Kherson region, advocating for a ceasefire and aid delivery.

The Vatican has not yet provided further details on the Pope's recovery plan post-discharge, but his hospitalization allowed him to continue diplomatic engagements.