Pope Leo XIV was discharged from Rome’s Agostino Gemelli University Hospital on Saturday afternoon, October 17, 2026, four days after undergoing thoracic surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung following a diagnosis of lung cancer.
​The 71-year-old Pontiff departed the medical center shortly before 3:30 p.m. local time. Walking unaided to his vehicle, the Pope smiled, waved, and briefly greeted journalists and well-wishers who had gathered outside the main entrance.
​The discharge came earlier than expected after medical evaluations on Saturday morning, including complete blood work and chest imaging, confirmed his rapid post-operative recovery.
​In an official bulletin released by the Holy See Press Office, the Pope’s personal physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, and chief thoracic surgeon Prof. Stefano Margaritora issued a joint clearance confirming the Pontiff’s fitness to return to the Vatican:
​”Based on the blood tests and chest X-rays performed this morning, and after evaluating his clinical condition, the Holy Father has been deemed fit for discharge,” the statement read. “His post-operative recovery allows him to carry out his normal daily activities completely on his own.”
​The surgical procedure, which took place on Tuesday, October 13, lasted approximately 90 minutes and utilized a video-assisted thoracic technique to excise the lower lobe of the right lung.
Pathological testing of the removed tissue subsequently confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma. Medical officials emphasized that the initial nodule had been caught at an early stage during routine examinations.
​Before departing his 10th-floor private suite at Gemelli Hospital, Pope Leo spent time expressing his gratitude to the medical team, including Prof. Margaritora, Dr. Carbone, and Prof. Elena Beccalli, Rector of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart. He also celebrated morning Mass in the hospital’s private chapel.
​Holy See spokesman Matteo Bruni confirmed that Pope Leo will deliver his traditional Sunday Angelus address at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 18, from the window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter’s Square.
​While public audiences remain suspended through October 20 as a precaution, Vatican officials expressed optimism regarding his recovery. Discussions regarding his scheduled 11-day papal visit to South America in November remain ongoing.
