Smiling pope returns to Vatican after cancer surgery

Vatican City - Pope Leo XIV emerged from Gemelli Hospital on Saturday, after a four-day stay, following surgery for lung cancer. The 71-year-old pontiff greeted onlookers as he walked out of the hospital, waving and shaking hands. He then traveled to the Vatican in a black SUV, arriving amid cheers from well-wishers.

Leo's discharge signalled relief for the Vatican and the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, who had been uncertain since his hospitalization. Surgeon Stefano Margaritora confirmed the pope was in excellent condition, projecting a recovery period of about ten days.

The Pope was expected to recite the Angelus prayer from the window of the Apostolic Palace, as usual, following his discharge. He had already celebrated mass the previous day at a hospital room.

Leo's lung cancer was discovered incidentally during a routine abdominal X-ray. The surgery to remove the cancerous tumor from his right lung was deemed routine by doctors. Despite this, Leo remained committed, putting in maximum effort during his recovery.

He has resumed some duties, including a call to Russian President Vladimir Putin urging a ceasefire in Ukraine. However, plans for a papal trip to South America later this month remain uncertain, pending a further ten days of recovery.

Leo has postponed all audiences until October 20. A young Ukrainian survivor of cancer, Varvara Struck, expressed her support for Pope Leo, recounting their previous meeting in Rome where he blessed her for a successful treatment.