VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV returned to the Vatican on Saturday, just four days after undergoing major surgery to remove a portion of his right lung due to an early-stage cancer diagnosis.
The 71-year-old pontiff left Rome’s Gemelli Hospital in a black SUV, smiling broadly and waving to well-wishers and medical staff who had gathered to bid him farewell. The swift discharge underscores a remarkably smooth post-operative recovery that has relieved millions of Catholic faithful worldwide.
According to medical bulletins released by the Vatican, Pope Leo's recovery has exceeded initial expectations. The pontiff’s personal physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, alongside Dr. Stefano Margaritora—the chief thoracic surgeon who led the procedure—confirmed that recent blood tests and follow-up chest imaging showed steady improvement. Doctors stated that the pope is fully capable of carrying out his daily routine independently.
The health ordeal began earlier in the week when the pontiff underwent a scheduled operation on Tuesday to excise a suspicious nodule discovered during routine scans. Pathology reports subsequently confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer. During the three-hour procedure, surgeons successfully removed the lower lobe of the pope's right lung. Medical specialists noted that because the malignancy was caught and treated at an early, localized stage, the overall prognosis remains highly favorable.
Despite the gravity of the diagnosis, Pope Leo has maintained a striking level of transparency regarding his health throughout his 17-month papacy, directly addressing the faithful about his condition prior to the operation. Demonstrating remarkable resilience, the pope celebrated Mass for hospital staff from the altar of the hospital chapel just days after the surgery, delivering a heartfelt homily in which he expressed deep gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and medical personnel who cared for him during his stay.
The successful return to the Vatican clears the path for the pope to resume his active schedule. Vatican officials announced that Pope Leo is slated to lead the traditional Sunday Angelus prayer from the window overlooking St. Peter’s Square, marking his first public appearance since the procedure.
Questions had naturally swirled regarding the future of his papacy and upcoming international itineraries, particularly an ambitious, multi-nation apostolic journey to South America scheduled for November. However, treating physicians have indicated that there are no immediate clinical reasons to alter his travel plans, provided his physical strength continues to rebound at the current pace.
As the universal Church breathes a collective sigh of relief, the Vatican emphasizes that the Holy Father will continue to be monitored closely by his medical team in the coming weeks while he gradually resumes his governance of the global Catholic Church from home.
