Pope Leo XIV Discharged From Hospital Following Lung Surgery

Pope Leo XIV was discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Saturday afternoon, just four days after an operation to remove a cancerous growth from his lung, according to the Vatican. Al Jazeera also reported Pope Leo left the hospital after successful lung cancer surgery. The pontiff is scheduled to give the traditional Angelus prayer and blessing in St Peter's Square on Sunday, an event he also conducted last week when he announced his surgery.

On Friday, photographs were released showing Pope Leo XIV celebrating Mass and distributing communion to staff within the hospital. A statement from his doctors confirmed "steady improvement" after blood tests and a chest X-ray. The surgery, performed on Tuesday, lasted 90 minutes and involved the removal of the lower lobe of his right lung. Results from further tests to check for cancer spread have not yet been announced.

The Pope engaged in a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, their first since June 2025. The Vatican stated the call was to urge "dialogue and peace," amidst intensifying Russian bombardment of Ukrainian cities and a growing number of civilian casualties. Pope Leo also called for a humanitarian ceasefire in Oleshkiy, a Russian-occupied Ukrainian city under constant shelling, to facilitate evacuations and the delivery of essential food and medicine. The BBC had reported residents there were forced to eat garden weeds.

Despite his schedule being cleared until October 20, the Pope's swift public reappearance comes as a surprise and is expected to bring relief to Catholics worldwide. Those close to him indicated his desire not to delay a planned trip to Latin America in early November, which includes a visit to Peru, where he previously served as a missionary. It remains unclear whether he will be fit to travel or require further treatment.

Editor's note: Comprehensive coverage of the Pope's discharge, surgery details, and geopolitical calls. Well-structured.