Pope Leo XIV leaves hospital days after lung cancer surgery

Pope Leo XIV returned to the Vatican on Saturday after being discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. The 71-year-old pontiff underwent surgery on Tuesday to remove the lower lobe of his right lung after doctors identified a cancerous nodule. According to PBS NewsHour, the procedure confirmed a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer.

The Pope's discharge followed blood tests and chest imaging performed on Saturday, which led doctors to determine he was well enough to return home, according to ABC News AU. Punch Nigeria reported the surgery was completed successfully without complications. While exiting the hospital, the Pope walked unaided to a vehicle and spoke to well-wishers, telling one that he felt much better, according to PBS NewsHour.

The Pope is scheduled to lead the traditional Angelus blessing at St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, which will be his first public engagement since the surgery, according to both PBS NewsHour and Punch Nigeria. He is also scheduled to travel to Latin America in November, according to NPR. Doctors have not disclosed the size of the tumor or if the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, according to ABC News AU and The Age.

Brief written by urgent.news from NPR, PBS NewsHour, Punch Nigeria, ABC News AU, The Age — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.