Pope Leo cleared to leave Rome hospital after lung cancer surgery
The Vatican said the pontiff was fit for discharge on October 17 and planned to return to the Vatican before leading Sunday prayers from his apartment window.
Pope Leo XIV was cleared to leave Gemelli Hospital in Rome on October 17, four days after surgery for lung cancer. The Vatican said the 71-year-old pontiff would return to the Vatican in the early afternoon, bringing forward a discharge that CBS News reported had initially been expected on October 20.
Doctors Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora said blood tests, a chest X-ray taken that morning and an assessment of Leo’s clinical condition showed he was fit for discharge. The Vatican announced the planned departure; the reports did not establish that he had already left the hospital.
What doctors said about Pope Leo’s recovery
Surgeons removed part of Leo’s right lung at Gemelli on October 13 to take out a cancerous tumour. Reuters reported that the operation removed the lower lobe and that doctors described the surgery as successful and free of complications. It identified his diagnosis as lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer.
The announcement is a further step in the recovery covered in NewsJaws’ earlier report on Leo resuming work in hospital. CBS News reported that he returned to some work on October 15 and that doctors described steady improvement the following day. The Vatican also released photographs of him celebrating Mass in a small hospital chapel.
Reuters reported that doctors had not disclosed the tumour’s size or whether the cancer had spread to nearby lymph nodes. Those details matter to an assessment of his prognosis, which cannot be determined from the discharge decision alone.
Angelus prayer planned for October 18
The Vatican said Leo planned to recite the Angelus prayer on October 18 from the window of the papal apartment, overlooking pilgrims in St Peter’s Square. Reuters described it as his first public engagement since entering hospital. The prayer is usually given from the Apostolic Palace window; AFP reported that previous popes hospitalised at Gemelli have instead delivered it from their hospital rooms.
Read in depth: World
Trump pauses Russia sanctions as watchdog identifies 134 gas-trade vessels
An executive order delayed sanctions due to take effect two days later. Urgewald says Russian gas shipments have continued since the law was signed.
First Guangdong yachts arrive in Hong Kong under new southbound scheme
Five yachts from Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Guangzhou entered Hong Kong under new cross-boundary rules for mainland leisure vessels.
Sources and context
- Pope Leo will leave hospital, return to Vatican on Oct 17: Holy SeeCNA (AFP report)
- Pope Leo to leave hospital on Oct 17 after lung cancer surgeryThe Straits Times (Reuters report)
- Pope Leo to be discharged from hospital on Saturday, appear at window of apartment on Sunday, Vatican saysCBS News
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.