Pope Leo XIV returned to the Vatican on Saturday, October 17, 2026, just four days after undergoing surgery for lung cancer at Rome's Gemelli Polyclinic. The 71-year-old pontiff walked out of the hospital without assistance, waved to supporters and greeted patients before traveling back to his residence in Vatican City.
Doctors approved his discharge after blood tests, a chest X-ray and a clinical examination showed that his recovery was progressing satisfactorily. The pope had undergone surgery on October 13 to remove the lower lobe of his right lung after doctors discovered a cancerous growth.
His early departure was encouraging because Vatican officials had initially expected him to remain hospitalized for approximately one week. The Holy See confirmed that Leo would resume a limited public appearance on Sunday, October 18, by leading the traditional Angelus prayer from the window of the Apostolic Palace.
Pope Leaves Hospital Ahead of Schedule
The pope emerged from the main entrance of Gemelli Hospital at approximately 3:30 p.m. local time on Saturday. Television footage showed him walking steadily and smiling as a crowd of supporters and journalists gathered outside.
Several people applauded and called out to the pontiff as he left. Leo acknowledged them with a wave and briefly stopped to greet patients, including a young Ukrainian girl who had previously met him during her own cancer treatment.
According to Vatican News, Leo had celebrated Mass earlier Saturday in a room designated for religious services on the hospital's 10th floor. He had also participated in Mass during his recovery, maintaining an important part of his daily religious routine.
His doctors, Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora, issued a joint medical assessment before his discharge. They confirmed that his blood tests and chest X-ray supported the decision to allow him to return home.
Carbone serves as the pope's personal physician, while Margaritora leads the thoracic surgery department at Gemelli Hospital. Both have been involved in monitoring Leo's condition since his admission.
The Vatican did not announce any new medical complications or changes to his immediate treatment following the discharge. However, doctors have not yet publicly established that all cancer treatment is complete.
Surgery Confirmed Lung Adenocarcinoma
Pope Leo underwent surgery after routine medical examinations identified a small nodule in his right lung. He had previously told the public that the growth appeared localized and had been discovered at an early stage.
The operation was performed using a video-assisted technique, allowing surgeons to work through small incisions with a camera and specialized instruments. This approach generally causes less disruption to surrounding tissue than traditional open-chest surgery.
Although the original concern involved a small nodule, surgeons removed the entire lower lobe of Leo's right lung. The procedure, known as a lobectomy, is commonly used to treat certain localized lung cancers.
Doctors explained that removing the lobe was intended to achieve complete surgical removal of the suspected cancer. The operation itself lasted approximately 90 minutes, while the pope spent about three hours in the operating room.
A tissue examination performed during surgery confirmed lung adenocarcinoma. This is a type of non-small cell lung cancer that develops in cells responsible for producing substances such as mucus within the lungs.
Lung adenocarcinoma is the most common form of lung cancer and can occur in people who have never smoked. The Vatican has not identified smoking as a factor in Leo's illness.
The pope reportedly had no respiratory symptoms before doctors discovered the growth. Its identification during routine medical testing allowed surgeons to intervene before symptoms prompted an emergency examination.
Doctors Await Further Cancer Test Results
The successful operation and early discharge are positive developments, but several medical questions remain unanswered. The Vatican has not released complete postoperative pathology findings or a definitive cancer stage.
Those findings matter because doctors must determine whether cancer cells were confined to the removed lung tissue or had spread into nearby lymph nodes. This information helps guide decisions about additional treatment and long-term monitoring.
Medical specialists interviewed by news organizations have described surgery for a small, localized lung tumor as a potentially favorable situation. However, they also emphasize that recovery from an operation and recovery from cancer are not necessarily the same.
Dr. Jonathan Villena Vargas, a thoracic surgeon at Weill Cornell Medicine, has explained that minimally invasive lung surgery can reduce postoperative discomfort and shorten hospitalization. Individual recovery still depends on the patient's overall health and the extent of the operation.
Dr. Otis Brawley, an oncologist at Johns Hopkins University, has also noted the importance of identifying cancer early enough for surgery. Whether further treatment is necessary depends on the final pathology and other medical findings.
The removal of a lung lobe permanently reduces the amount of lung tissue available for breathing. Many patients can nevertheless return to normal activities after recovering, particularly when the remaining lung tissue functions well.
Leo's medical team has not announced whether he will require chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted treatment or continued observation alone. No public statement has established that the operation was definitively curative.
Pope Resumed Work During Hospital Recovery
Despite undergoing major surgery, Leo gradually resumed some of his duties while hospitalized. Vatican updates indicated that he was walking around his room, eating normally and participating in respiratory rehabilitation exercises.
By Thursday, doctors reported that his postoperative recovery was proceeding as expected. The pope had also begun reviewing church matters and communicating with members of the Vatican administration.
On Friday, October 16, he spoke by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Their conversation addressed the war in Ukraine and the need for humanitarian measures to protect civilians affected by the fighting.
The call demonstrated that the pontiff had resumed some diplomatic responsibilities even before leaving the hospital. Vatican officials also reported visits and communications involving senior church leaders during his recovery.
Leo has generally maintained an active schedule since becoming pope in May 2025. Before his diagnosis, he was known for regular exercise and recreational activities, including tennis.
His health has attracted particular attention because his papacy involves frequent public appearances, religious ceremonies, meetings with international leaders and overseas travel.
South American Trip Remains on the Schedule
The Vatican has indicated that Leo intends to proceed with a planned November visit to South America. His itinerary includes Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, with travel scheduled for November 6 through November 17.
The journey would be especially significant because Leo spent many years living and working in Peru before his election as pope. He served as a missionary and later as bishop of Chiclayo, developing longstanding relationships with Peruvian communities.
The proposed trip would involve international flights, religious services, meetings with government officials and gatherings with large crowds. Such an itinerary could place considerable physical demands on someone recovering from lung surgery.
Vatican officials have not announced a cancellation, but the pope's medical condition and any further treatment recommendations could affect his participation. Doctors will continue assessing his recovery before the trip begins.
For now, the next scheduled public appearance is the Sunday Angelus prayer, traditionally delivered at noon to people gathered in St. Peter's Square.
Leo's departure from Gemelli Hospital marks an important step in his recovery, particularly because he returned home earlier than expected. His longer-term treatment and prognosis will depend on medical findings that have not yet been made public.