Pope to be discharged days after lung cancer surgery

Pope Leo XIV is set to be released from Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Saturday, just four days following surgery to remove a cancerous growth from his lung. The Vatican announced that the Pope will deliver the Angelus prayer and blessing to a gathering in St Peter's Square on Sunday, as he has done previously. On Friday, images surfaced of the Pope leading Mass and administering communion in the hospital to staff.

Medical professionals reported steady progress following the 90-minute surgery on Tuesday, which entailed the extraction of the lower lobe of the Pope's right lung. Further tests to determine if the cancer has metastasized have not yet yielded results.

Additionally, Pope Leo XIV engaged in a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, marking their first dialogue since June. The purpose of the call was to promote dialogue and peace, amid intensifying Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities, causing a surge in civilian casualties with no indication of Putin's intention to cease the invasion.

The Pope also advocated for a humanitarian ceasefire in the besieged Ukrainian city of Oleshkiy, to enable the evacuation of residents and the swift delivery of essential supplies. The BBC reported on the desperate situation in Oleshkiy, where residents are resorting to consuming garden weeds for sustenance.

Pope Leo XIV's public schedule remains unoccupied until October 20, which has come as a surprise to many and is expected to be a relief for Catholics worldwide. Those familiar with the Pope mentioned his wish to avoid delaying an upcoming trip to Latin America, scheduled for early November and encompassing a visit to Peru, his former missionary territory. The circumstances surrounding his fitness for travel and potential further medical treatment are still uncertain.