Pope Leo XIV has been discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, just four days after an operation to remove a cancerous tumor from his lung. The 71-year-old walked unassisted to his car, stopping to talk to supporters. The Vatican said the pope will give the traditional Angelus prayer and blessing to a crowd in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, as he did last week when he surprised the world by announcing the surgery. On Friday, photographs were published of the Pope celebrating mass and distributing communion. in the hospital for the staff. A statement from his doctors said blood tests and a chest X-ray showed “steady improvement” after his operation. Tuesday’s surgery, which lasted 90 minutes, included removal of the lower lobe of the Pope’s right lung. The results of further tests to look for any signs that the cancer has spread have not yet been announced. The pope also spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, in his first call since June 2025. The Vatican said the call was to urge “dialogue and peace.” Oleshkiy, occupied by Russia and subjected to constant bombing, to allow the evacuation of people and the urgent shipment of food and medicine. The BBC recently reported on residents who are forced to eat garden herbs to survive. The Pope’s agenda has been completely cleared until October 20, so his reappearance in public so soon comes as a surprise and will come as a certain relief to Catholics around the world. People close to the pope said he did not want to delay a trip to Latin America, scheduled for early November and which includes a visit to Peru, where he was a missionary for many years. It is not yet clear whether he could travel or need additional treatment.
