Pope Leo XIV was discharged from Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Saturday afternoon and returned to the Vatican. This return came after four days of hospitalization due to lung cancer surgery.
Pope Leo's General Condition
The 71-year-old pope walked independently to his car and spoke with a group of well-wishers outside the hospital. Upon leaving the hospital, he said, "I am better, thank you" and then drove towards the Vatican in a black SUV.
Pope's doctors announced after conducting blood tests and chest imaging that he was well enough to return home. Pope Leo XIV entered the Vatican just ten minutes after leaving the hospital.
Surgery and Disease Diagnosis
On Tuesday, Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery to remove part of his right lung that was suspected of cancer. The surgery revealed that he has adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer. Doctors stated that his surgery was successful and without complications. However, the size of the tumor and whether the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes remains unclear. These factors are crucial in determining the prognosis of the disease.
The diagnosis was a significant shock for the relatively young and energetic pope, who was elected in May 2025. This raised questions about his papacy's future as he grapples with this illness.
Pope's Future Plans
On Sunday, Pope Leo XIV is expected to participate in the weekly prayer ceremony with pilgrims in St. Peter's Square at 12 PM local time (10:00 AM GMT), marking his first public engagement since the surgery.
Given the pope's health status and future plans, these events will be closely monitored, and their impacts on the religious and social lives of Catholics worldwide will be significant.
