World · Europe · 16 mins ago
Pope Leo leaves hospital after surgery to remove lung tumour
Pope Leo left Rome’s Gemelli hospital after surgery to remove a tumour from his right lung.
He said he was feeling much better and returned to the Vatican.
Doctors said he was fit to leave after checking his blood tests, chest scan and overall condition.
The tumour was found by chance during a routine abdominal check, and surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung.
His surgeon said a November trip to South America remains possible, though the pope will make the final decision.
Leo spent 20 years in Peru as a missionary and then a bishop.
He is expected to resume public duties gradually, with a Sunday Angelus planned and a general audience on Wednesday still to be confirmed.
A visit to Assisi on October 27 may be difficult because doctors expect his recovery to take about 10 days.
Pope Leo XIV left Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Saturday, four days after surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung.
Doctors said blood tests, chest imaging and his clinical condition made him fit for discharge.
He returned to the Vatican and said, “I feel much better.”
He was expected to lead the Angelus prayer from the Apostolic Palace window on Sunday.
His surgeon said there were no clinical reasons to prevent a planned November trip to South America.
- Who
- Pope Leo XIV, 71, was discharged from hospital.
- What
- He left hospital after surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, where a tumour was found.
- When
- Saturday, October 17, 2026, four days after the operation.
- Where
- Gemelli hospital in Rome; he returned to the Vatican.
- Why
- Doctors judged him fit for discharge after reviewing his blood tests, chest imaging and clinical condition.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Leo told people in St Peter’s Square that doctors had found a nodule on his lung and that it would be removed.
Surgeons removed the lower lobe of Leo’s right lung.
Leo left Gemelli hospital and returned to the Vatican.
Leo was expected to lead the Angelus prayer from the Apostolic Palace window.
- Age
- 71
- Hospital
- Agostino Gemelli Hospital, Rome
- Surgery
- Removal of the lower lobe of the right lung
- Discharge
- October 17, 2026
- Planned South America trip
- November 6–17
10 sources
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What people are saying
I feel much better
I would say there are no clinical reasons why this trip should not take place