Pope Leo XIV to be Released from Hospital After Lung Cancer Surgery
The pontiff, 71, will return to the Vatican Saturday, four days after undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous nodule from his right lung.
Pope Leo XIV is scheduled for release from the hospital on Saturday, just four days after undergoing surgery for lung cancer. The pontiff, 71, is expected to deliver the traditional noon blessing on Sunday from a window overlooking St. Peter's Square, the Vatican announced.
Doctors identified adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer, after removing the lower lobe of Leo's right lung due to a suspected cancerous nodule. His personal physician and surgeon stated that based on blood tests, a chest X-ray, and his overall clinical condition, Leo was deemed fit for discharge.
Leo is expected to return to the Vatican in the early afternoon. The pontiff had publicly announced his diagnosis and upcoming surgery last Sunday to the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square.
Since his surgery on Tuesday, Leo has shown signs of a strong recovery, including a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, meetings with top aides, and celebrating Mass in a makeshift hospital chapel. Medical bulletins from his physicians indicated a good post-operative recovery, allowing him to engage in "normal daily activities completely on his own."
The Vatican released images on Friday showing Leo standing at an altar in the hospital chapel, dressed in green vestments, with doctors confirming his "continued improvement."
The Vatican had initially estimated a week-long hospital stay, canceling his audiences through Tuesday. However, medical experts note that discharge timing depends on individual recovery pace, and Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni confirmed the decision rested with the pope's doctors.
Leo's schedule includes a trip to Latin America from November 6-17, providing him with three more weeks of recovery time before undertaking the extensive journey. The Vatican has begun preparations for this trip, including confirming journalist accreditations for his flight. Oncology surgeons generally clear patients for air travel three weeks after surgery, provided their recovery progresses as expected.