Pope discharged from hospital days after lung cancer surgery

Pope Leo XIV has been released from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital just four days following a lung cancer surgery. The 71-year-old made his way to his car independently, pausing to greet onlookers. The Vatican announced that the Pope will deliver the Angelus prayer and blessing to an audience in St Peter’s Square on Sunday, mirroring his surprise announcement of the surgery last week.

On Friday, images emerged of the Pope participating in Mass and distributing communion within the hospital for staff. A statement from his medical team indicated that blood tests and a chest X-ray demonstrated "steady improvement" following the surgery. The operation on Tuesday lasted 90 minutes and entailed the removal of the lower lobe of the Pope’s right lung.

Further tests to ascertain any metastasis of the cancer were pending. The Pope conversed with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, marking their first dialogue since June 2025. The conversation aimed to promote "dialogue and peace," amid Russia’s ongoing bombardment of Ukrainian cities, which has resulted in escalating civilian casualties with no indication of Putin’s readiness to cease the invasion.

The Pope also implored for a humanitarian ceasefire in the Ukrainian city of Oleshkiy, which is besieged by Russian forces, to facilitate evacuations and the timely distribution of food and medicine.

Reports have surfaced that the civilians in Oleshkiy are reduced to consuming garden weeds for sustenance. The Pope's return to public life sooner than expected has come as a relief to Catholics worldwide. Close associates of the Pope revealed that he was determined to avoid delaying an upcoming trip to Latin America, planned for early November, which includes a visit to Peru, his former missionary territory. It remains uncertain whether the Pope will be capable of traveling or if additional treatment is necessary.