Pope Leo XIV to be discharged from hospital and return to Vatican after surgery to remove lung cancer

Pope Leo XIV was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Saturday and returned to the Vatican after surgery to remove a cancerous growth in his right lung. The Holy See said he was well enough to leave, and he was expected to lead the Angelus prayer from his apartment window the following day.

Blood tests and a chest X-ray supported the decision to discharge him. The operation took about 90 minutes, with no reported complications; doctors later diagnosed lung adenocarcinoma. Before leaving, the Pope reportedly visited the children’s oncology ward, where he had received letters from young patients.