The 71-year-old Pope had been admitted last Tuesday and underwent surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung.
Pope Leo XIV left the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital shortly after 3:30 p.m. local time today to return to the Vatican.
Around 3:30 pm Rome time, Pope Leo left Gemelli Hospital just as he arrived: walking, smiling, and greeting the crowd. He will continue his recovery at the Vatican and is expected to lead the Sunday Angelus overlooking St. Peter’s Square tomorrow. Video: Veronica Giacometti / @EWTNews See less
— EWTN News (@EWTNews) October 17, 2026
The 71-year-old Pope had been admitted last Tuesday and underwent surgery just hours later to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. The procedure, which lasted about an hour and a half, was performed using a video-assisted technique, while an intraoperative histological examination confirmed a diagnosis of pulmonary adenocarcinoma.
His discharge from the hospital was announced by the Pontiff’s attending physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, and the surgeon who performed the operation, Professor Stefano Margaritora.
As he left, the Pope greeted the faithful gathered along the barriers. Daniele Franco, chairman of the board of the Gemelli University Hospital Foundation, was also there to welcome
