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Pope Leo XIV to Leave Hospital Saturday, Four Days After Lung Cancer Surgery

The Vatican said doctors cleared the 71-year-old pontiff for discharge after morning blood tests and a chest X-ray, and that he will lead the Sunday Angelus from the papal apartment window — his first public appearance since the operation.

By admin Oct. 17, 2026 · 9:43 AM ET 2 min read

St. Peter's Basilica and its dome in Vatican City at sunrise.
St. Peter's Basilica and its dome in Vatican City at sunrise.

Pope Leo XIV will leave Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Saturday, four days after surgery that removed a cancerous part of his right lung, the Vatican said. He will return to the Vatican in the early afternoon and lead the Angelus prayer from the papal apartment window on Sunday, his first public appearance since the Oct. 13 operation.

St. Peter's Basilica and its dome in Vatican City at sunrise.
St. Peter’s Basilica and its dome in Vatican City at sunrise.

The pontiff’s doctors, Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora, said his clinical condition was good enough to allow discharge after morning blood tests and a chest X-ray, according to a statement from the Holy See Press Office.

Surgery removed cancerous tissue, prognosis undisclosed

Surgeons on Oct. 13 removed a small lung nodule that doctors had found in a recent checkup, along with the lower lobe of Leo’s right lung, and tissue tests confirmed lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer. The Vatican said the 90-minute operation finished without complications. Reuters reported that the doctors have not disclosed the size of the tumor or whether it had spread to nearby lymph nodes, both of which are central to a prognosis.

A large modern hospital building in Rome in morning light.
A large modern hospital building in Rome in morning light.

Before leaving, the pope celebrated Mass at the hospital, the second consecutive day he did so. On Friday he celebrated in a room on Gemelli’s 10th floor and distributed Communion to members of the medical and nursing staff and the Vatican City State Gendarmerie Corps.

A quiet chapel interior with lit candles and wooden pews.
A quiet chapel interior with lit candles and wooden pews.

Putin call and a busy schedule ahead

Also on Friday, Leo spoke by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to the Holy See Press Office. The statement said the pope expressed concern about the humanitarian situation in Oleshky, in Ukraine’s Kherson region, and called for a ceasefire to allow food and medical assistance in and the voluntary, safe evacuation of the civilian population.

A crowd in St. Peter's Square looks toward a window above a building balcony.
A crowd in St. Peter’s Square looks toward a window above a building balcony.

The Vatican said planning continues for Leo’s Nov. 6 to 17 trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, even as his public events remain canceled through Oct. 20.

Reporting based on coverage by USA TODAY and Reuters.

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