Pope Leo XIV was discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital four days after surgery to remove a cancerous growth from his lung. The 71-year-old walked unaided to his car, stopping to speak with well-wishers. The Vatican confirmed he will give the Angelus prayer and blessing to a crowd in St Peter's Square on Sunday.
Pope Leo XIV, 71, underwent surgery on Tuesday to remove the lower lobe of his right lung after doctors identified a nodule suspected to be cancerous. The surgery confirmed he had adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer. His doctors said the operation was successful and complication-free, but have not yet disclosed the size of the tumor or if the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes.
The Vatican said the Pope will give the traditional Angelus prayer and blessing to a crowd in St Peter's Square on Sunday, as he did last week when he surprised the world by announcing the surgery. The Pope also spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, urging dialogue and peace amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The Pope's schedule has been cleared completely until 20 October, so his reappearance in public so soon is a surprise and will be some relief for Catholics around the world. Those close to the Pope said he was keen not to delay a trip to Latin America, planned for early November and which includes a visit to Peru, where he was a missionary for many years.