VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV is set to return to the Vatican on Saturday after doctors declared him fit for discharge from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his right lung.
The Vatican announced the development on Saturday, October 17, following medical assessments that indicated the 71-year-old pontiff was recovering well after the operation performed earlier in the week.
According to a medical statement released by the Vatican, the Pope’s blood tests, chest X-ray and overall clinical condition were satisfactory, allowing doctors to approve his discharge.
“Considering the blood tests, the chest X-ray done this morning, and evaluating the clinical picture, the Holy Father has been deemed fit for discharge,” doctors Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora stated.
The Vatican confirmed that Pope Leo would leave the hospital in the early afternoon and return to his residence, with plans to lead the traditional Angelus prayer from the window of the papal apartment on Sunday.
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The Angelus is a regular papal prayer traditionally delivered from the Apostolic Palace overlooking St Peter’s Square. However, previous pontiffs, including Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis, have also delivered the prayer from hospital windows while receiving medical care.
Pope Maintains Some Duties During Recovery
Despite his hospitalization, Pope Leo has continued some of his religious and official responsibilities while recovering.
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The Vatican’s press office disclosed that the pontiff celebrated Mass on Saturday in a room on the hospital’s 10th floor, where he had been recuperating since undergoing surgery on Tuesday.
His recovery has drawn considerable international attention, particularly following confirmation that the lung nodule removed during the operation was cancerous.
The Pope’s medical team has reported that his postoperative recovery is progressing normally. However, further medical assessments are expected to help determine whether additional treatment will be necessary.
The development has generated concern among Catholics worldwide, with the Pope’s health remaining a major focus for the Vatican and the wider international community.
Planned South American Visit Remains Uncertain
Questions also remain over Pope Leo XIV’s planned apostolic journey to South America, scheduled for November 6 to 17, with proposed visits to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.
The trip is particularly significant because the pontiff spent approximately two decades serving as a missionary in Peru, where he developed longstanding pastoral and personal connections.
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Although the Pope is reportedly keen to undertake the journey, the final decision is expected to depend on medical advice and the progress of his recovery.
His doctors’ recommendations will likely be central to determining whether the demanding travel schedule can proceed as planned.
The Vatican has also announced the cancellation of the Pope’s audiences through October 20, allowing him additional time to recover following the procedure.
Diplomatic Engagement Continues
Even during his hospital stay, Pope Leo has maintained contact with international leaders.
On Friday, he reportedly spoke by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging a ceasefire in Oleshky, a city in Russian-occupied Ukraine.
The engagement underscored the pontiff’s continued interest in diplomatic efforts and the search for peace amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
However, the extent of his public engagements in the coming weeks remains dependent on his medical condition and recovery timetable.
Global Attention on the Pope’s Health
Pope Leo XIV had publicly disclosed last Sunday that a routine medical examination had revealed a lung nodule that doctors recommended removing.
The subsequent surgery and confirmation of a cancerous tumour have raised questions about the potential impact on his schedule, including his upcoming international journey.
For now, the Vatican’s latest announcement offers a positive development, with doctors approving his discharge after reviewing his clinical condition and test results.
Catholics around the world will be watching his planned Angelus prayer on Sunday for further reassurance about his recovery.
While his discharge marks an important step forward, the outcome of additional medical assessments will help determine the next phase of his treatment and the future of his scheduled engagements.
