Pope Leo XIV cleared to leave hospital after lung surgery

Pope Leo XIV cleared to leave hospital after lung surgery - Pope Leo XIV at a past weekly General Audience. (Photo: Vatican Media)

He is scheduled to lead the Angelus prayer from the window of the papal apartment on Sunday, according to the Holy See Press Office.

Pope Leo XIV has been cleared to leave Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Saturday after surgery on his right lung, with doctors confirming that his condition allows him to continue recovering outside the hospital.

The 71-year-old pontiff will return to the Vatican on Saturday afternoon, five days after being admitted for the operation. He is scheduled to lead the Angelus prayer from the window of the papal apartment on Sunday, according to the Holy See Press Office.

“Following the doctors’ assessment this morning, Pope Leo XIV will be discharged today from Gemelli Hospital, where he was hospitalised for surgery on his right lung,” the press office said in a statement, adding that the Pope will celebrate Mass in a room set aside for that purpose on the hospital’s 10th floor before his departure.

According to the Pope’s doctors, Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora, morning blood tests and a chest X-ray confirmed that the Pope was fit to leave the hospital.

On Friday, the Vatican released the first pictures of the Pope since his surgery, showing him standing at an altar and celebrating Mass at Gemelli Hospital.

The Pope was admitted to Gemelli Hospital on October 13 for surgery to remove a small, localised nodule in his right lung.

Latest Stories

  • African countries could save billions by cutting air pollution and greenhouse gases at the same time
  • Nominated Senator Crystal Asige joins Winnie Odinga and Jalang’o in Nairobi Senate race
  • Tusker FC suffer home defeat as Singida strike puts CAF Confederation Cup hopes at risk
  • Ecuadorian priest dies after giant wooden crucifix crashes down on him during live-streamed Mass

He had announced the planned operation during the Angelus on October 11, saying the growth had been detected during recent medical examinations and that his doctors had recommended surgery.

The procedure lasted approximately 90 minutes and was completed successfully without complications. An examination of tissue taken during the operation confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, a type of lung cancer.

The Vatican has not disclosed the tumour’s stage or whether the cancer has spread to other parts of his body. Further examination of the removed tissue is expected to help doctors determine the next steps in his treatment.