Pope Leo XIV discharged after surgery to treat lung cancer, returns to Vatican
Four days after the operation, Leo XIV returns to the Vatican. Understand the diagnosis, how the surgery went and what the doctors released about his recovery.
Pope Leo XIV was discharged from Rome's Agostino Gemelli Hospital on Saturday, four days after undergoing surgery to treat lung cancer. The pontiff returned to the Vatican after blood tests, a chest X-ray and an evaluation of his condition confirmed conditions for leaving the unit. The information was released by Vatican News, based on statements from the Holy See. Vatican News
Leaving the hospital represents a new stage in his recovery. For Sunday (18), the pope is scheduled to participate in the Angelus prayer, at noon Rome time, from the window of the Apostolic Palace.
Before returning to the Vatican, Leo XIV celebrated Mass in a room prepared on the tenth floor of the hospital. He also thanked surgeon Stefano Margaritora and the medical and nursing teams who accompanied him during his hospitalization. Vatican News
How was the surgery
The operation took place on Tuesday, October 13. Doctors removed the lower lobe of the right lung using a video-assisted technique. During the procedure, tissue analysis confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, which was already suspected in the tests prior to the intervention.
According to the bulletin released by the Holy See, the surgery lasted approximately 90 minutes, although the stay in the operating room was about three hours. The procedure was considered successful and took place without complications.
After awakening from anesthesia and undergoing a period of observation, the pontiff returned to his room. The team reported that the material removed would be subjected to complementary analyses. Vatican News
The announcement that preceded the hospitalization
The pope himself had communicated the need for the surgery during the Angelus on Sunday, October 11. On that occasion, he told the faithful that recent tests had identified a small nodule located in the lung.
According to the explanation presented by Leo XIV at that time, the alteration had been detected early, and the doctors recommended its removal. In announcing his decision to follow the guidance of the team, he thanked the faithful for their spiritual closeness and asked for prayers. Vatican News
Recovery included physiotherapy and resumption of activities
The bulletins released during his hospitalization already pointed to a favorable evolution. On Thursday (15), doctors Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora reported that routine checks showed normal results and that the X-ray indicated good recovery of the operated lung.
On that day, the pope carried out daily activities independently and participated in physiotherapy sessions. He had also resumed part of his work and received Archbishop Paolo Rudelli, substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State. Vatican News
What is known about the next steps
The confirmation of the diagnosis occurred during surgery, but the statements consulted do not present a definitive conclusion about the possible need for complementary treatment. The analysis of the material removed is part of the evaluation after the operation. Therefore, discharge should be presented as an advance in postoperative recovery, without anticipating conclusions about cure. Vatican News
For the faithful who follow their health, attention now turns to their recovery in the Vatican and their planned participation in this Sunday's Angelus.