Smiling pope returns to Vatican after cancer surgery

Pope Leo XIV returned to the Vatican on Saturday following his discharge from Gemelli Hospital in Rome. The 71-year-old, Chicago-born pope underwent surgery on Tuesday to remove the lower lobe of his right lung to extract a malignant lung adenocarcinoma. Free Malaysia Today reported that the pope was seen walking through the hospital lobby and smiling while shaking hands and waving to well-wishers.

According to Qatar Tribune, the pope is currently undergoing physiotherapy to assist his breathing and is able to perform normal daily activities independently.

The Vatican announced that the pope will lead the Angelus prayer on Sunday. While surgeon Stefano Margaritora told Vatican News that the pope is in satisfactory clinical condition, he estimated ten days before a full recovery. CBC News and Japan Today reported that the surgeon stated there are no clinical reasons to prevent the pope's planned trip to Latin America next month.

During his recovery, the pope spoke via telephone on Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin to urge a ceasefire in Oleshky, Ukraine. Le Monde English noted that his discharge ended a period of uncertainty for the Vatican and the world's 1.4 billion Catholics less than two years into his papacy.

Brief written by urgent.news from Le Monde English, CBC News, Qatar Tribune, Free Malaysia Today, Japan Today — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.