Leo XIV has been discharged from the hospital following surgery for a cancerous tumor in his lung and will return to the Vatican this Saturday
"Based on the blood tests, the chest X-ray taken this morning [Saturday] and the evaluation of his clinical condition, the Holy Father is considered fit to be discharged," wrote his doctors, Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora, in a statement released by the Vatican.
Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican / Andreas SOLARO
Pope Leo XIV, recovering from surgery for lung cancer, will be discharged this Saturday from Gemelli Hospital in Rome and will return to the Vatican, after doctors deemed him "fit" for discharge, the Holy See reported.
Surgery to remove a tumor
The 71-year-old pontiff has been hospitalized since Tuesday at this Roman hospital, where doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung to excise a cancerous tumor.
The procedure, performed using a video-assisted technique, lasted approximately 90 minutes and confirmed the diagnosis of pulmonary adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer.
"The surgery was successful and there were no complications," the Vatican reported following the operation.
Doctors declare him fit for discharge
"Based on blood tests, the chest X-ray taken this morning [Saturday] and the evaluation of his clinical condition, the Holy Father is considered fit for discharge," wrote his doctors, Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora, in a statement released by the Vatican.
The Holy See confirmed that "Pope Leo XIV will be discharged today from the Gemelli Polyclinic."
"He will leave the hospital in the early afternoon and return to the Vatican. Tomorrow he will recite the Angelus from the window of the papal apartment," the statement added.
Faster-than-expected recovery
The pontiff's recovery has been faster than expected. Initially, the Vatican had anticipated a one-week hospital stay, but the pope will be discharged just four days after surgery.
Since Thursday, Leo XIV had already resumed his work activities from the hospital, reviewing documents and celebrating Mass with other priests in a special chapel set up near his room on the tenth floor.
Doctors reported that a chest X-ray showed good recovery of the operated lung and that the pope was carrying out his daily activities independently, including physical therapy sessions with full-range-of-motion exercises.
The Angelus from the papal window
In past years, Popes John Paul II and Francis led the prayer from a window at Gemelli Hospital while they were hospitalized there.
Sunday's appearance will be Leo XIV's first public appearance since his surgery.
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