Smiling pope returns to Vatican after cancer surgery

Pope Leo XIV has returned to the Vatican following a successful cancer surgery, greeted by enthusiastic crowds and waving from the hospital. The 71-year-old pontiff, seen smiling as he shook hands and waved, crossed the lobby of Gemelli Hospital on foot and exited, pausing to speak with a Ukrainian cancer survivor who wished him well.

Later, his black SUV was spotted entering the Vatican through a side entrance. The discharge comes after five days of uncertainty, rattling the Vatican and the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, who had followed the pope's hospitalization and recovery. Pope Leo was declared fit for discharge by his doctors based on blood tests, chest X-rays, and a clinical evaluation.

He had been at Gemelli Hospital since Tuesday, where doctors removed a portion of his right lung to extract a cancerous tumor. Following his discharge, the Pope plans to recite the Angelus prayer from the Apostolic Palace window overlooking St Peter's Square, as per tradition. Prior to his discharge, Pope Leo celebrated Mass at noon in a room on the 10th floor, where he has been recuperating.

Among those who spoke with him outside the hospital was a 13-year-old Ukrainian survivor who expressed her gratitude for his support. Meanwhile, Vatican officials await test results to determine the next steps in the pope's recovery. Despite the medical setback, Pope Leo resumed some work, including a phone call to Russian President Vladimir Putin urging a ceasefire in Oleshky.

However, a planned papal trip to South America, scheduled for November 6-17, is uncertain due to the surgery and the recommendation of his doctors. The Pope has canceled all public audiences until October 20.