Pope Leo XIV was discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital after successful lung cancer surgery. The 71-year-old leader of the Catholic Church, who had surgery to remove a tumor from his right lung, walked unaided to his car, signaling a positive recovery. The operation, which took place four days ago, confirmed the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer.
Pope Leo, who was elected in May 2025, had a lower lobe of his right lung removed after doctors identified a suspected cancerous nodule. The surgery confirmed the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer. His doctors have stated that the surgery was completed successfully without complications, though they have not disclosed the size of the tumor or whether the disease had spread to nearby lymph nodes.
The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Leo will recite the Angelus prayer on Sunday from the window of the papal apartment. The pope's recovery is progressing normally, and doctors are waiting for test results to determine if further treatment is needed. The pope's planned 12-day trip to South America in November may need to be adjusted based on his health status.