Pope Leo XIV Discharged From Hospital After Lung Cancer Surgery

Pope Leo XIV has been discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, four days after undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous growth from his right lung.

The 71-year-old pontiff walked unaided to his waiting car on Saturday, stopping briefly to speak with well-wishers as he left the hospital.

The Vatican said the Pope would deliver the traditional Angelus prayer and blessing to a crowd in St Peter’s Square on Sunday, following a similar appearance last week when he surprised the world by announcing his surgery.

On Friday, photographs were released showing the Pope celebrating Mass and distributing communion to hospital staff.

A statement from his doctors said blood tests and a chest X-ray showed “steady improvement” following the operation.

The surgery, which lasted 90 minutes on Tuesday, involved the removal of the lower lobe of the Pope’s right lung.

However, results of further tests to determine whether the cancer has spread have not yet been announced.

The Pope also spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday in their first telephone conversation since June 2025.

According to the Vatican, the call was aimed at promoting “dialogue and peace” amid Russia’s intensifying bombardment of Ukrainian cities, which has resulted in rising civilian casualties.

The pontiff also called for a humanitarian ceasefire in Oleshkiy, a Ukrainian city occupied by Russia and subjected to persistent shelling, to allow residents to be evacuated and urgent supplies of food and medicine to reach them.

The appeal comes amid reports of worsening humanitarian conditions in the city, where residents have reportedly been forced to eat garden weeds to survive.

The Pope’s schedule had been cleared until October 20 to allow him to recover from the operation, making his planned public appearance on Sunday an unexpected development.

His early return to public engagements is expected to reassure Catholics around the world following concerns about his health.

Those close to the pontiff said he was keen to avoid postponing a planned trip to Latin America in early November. The visit is expected to include Peru, where he spent many years as a missionary.

However, it remains unclear whether he will be fit to travel or require further treatment following the surgery.