{
  "id": 15177628,
  "title": "Pope Leo to leave hospital on Saturday, 4 days after lung cancer surgery",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/pope-leo-to-leave-hospital-on-saturday-4-days-after-lung-cancer",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-17T10:26:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3371256/pope-leo-leave-hospital-saturday-after-lung-cancer-surgery"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pope Leo is set to depart the hospital on Saturday following a successful lung cancer surgery, according to the Vatican. The 71-year-old pontiff, who has not been publicly seen since a procedure on Tuesday, will also make his first public appearance since surgery on Sunday. He is scheduled to lead weekly prayers with pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square at noon. Diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, a prevalent form of lung cancer, Leo's diagnosis came as a surprise, raising questions about his future as he continues his demanding papacy. The Vatican confirmed that his surgery was completed without complications, but the size of the tumor and whether it had spread to nearby lymph nodes remain undisclosed. Despite this health issue, the Vatican assured that Leo's plans for his November 6 to 17 visit to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, one of the most extensive trips ever undertaken by a pope, are still on track. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's secretary of state, hinted that the pope may need to modify his schedule moving forward based on his health condition. This unprecedented disclosure from a cardinal follows public concerns expressed by some cardinals regarding Leo's health. The Vatican also released images of the pope celebrating Mass and standing unaided since his surgery.",
  "summary": "Pope Leo is expected to leave hospital on Saturday afternoon following surgery for lung cancer, the Vatican said, after blood tests and chest imaging found him fit to return home four days after his operation. The 71-year-old pontiff, who has not been seen in public since a procedure on Tuesday to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, will also hold his first public engagement since surgery on…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}