VATICAN CITY, Oct 17 – Pope Leo XIV returned to the Vatican on Saturday, four days after undergoing surgery to remove part of his right lung following a diagnosis of lung cancer. The 71-year-old pontiff was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital after doctors confirmed that his recovery had progressed sufficiently for him to continue recuperating outside the medical facility.
His return marks an important step in the recovery of the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, whose cancer diagnosis has raised questions about his health and the demands of his 17-month papacy. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his longer-term medical outlook, the Vatican has indicated that preparations for his upcoming engagements are continuing.
Leo is expected to make his first public appearance since the operation on Sunday, when he is scheduled to lead the traditional weekly prayers with pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square. The engagement will offer an early indication of how he is managing his recovery while preparing to resume his responsibilities.
Doctors Approve Discharge as Pope Prepares for Public Appearance
The pope left Gemelli Hospital on Saturday afternoon after completing medical assessments that included blood tests and chest imaging. His medical team determined that he was well enough to return to the Vatican and could carry out ordinary daily activities without assistance.
Leo appeared in good spirits as he departed the hospital. He walked to his waiting vehicle without support and waved to people gathered outside the building. Before leaving, he stopped to speak briefly with Varvara, a 13-year-old girl from Ukraine who is receiving cancer treatment in Italy.
The encounter provided a personal moment during an otherwise carefully managed departure. Leo later appeared smiling and waving through an open window of his black sport utility vehicle as it pulled away from the hospital.
When the vehicle reached the Vatican, the pope again acknowledged the crowds waiting to see him. He waved before returning inside the independent city-state, although he did not stop to speak with those gathered there.
The discharge followed surgery on Tuesday to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. The procedure was completed successfully, without reported complications, according to information previously provided by his doctors.
The pope has been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer that develops in glandular cells, often in the outer regions of the lungs. The diagnosis has attracted considerable attention because Leo, at 71, is relatively young compared with several of his predecessors and had been maintaining an active schedule since his election in May 2025.
However, his discharge from hospital does not establish the full extent of the disease or determine his long-term prognosis. His doctors have not publicly disclosed the size of the tumour or whether cancer cells had spread to nearby lymph nodes. Those details are important in assessing the stage of the disease and determining what additional treatment may be required.
For now, the medical team has indicated that Leo can continue his recovery outside the hospital. Further information about his condition and any possible changes to his activities will depend on his progress and subsequent medical evaluations.
The Vatican has scheduled the pope to lead the weekly prayers in St. Peter’s Square at noon on Sunday, corresponding to 1000 GMT. The appearance would be his first public engagement since the operation and a significant moment for Catholics who have been following updates on his health.
The event is also likely to draw attention to how quickly the pontiff can return to the public-facing aspects of his office. Although he has been cleared to leave hospital, his recovery from lung surgery may still require adjustments to his daily routine.
The Vatican has not indicated that Leo intends to withdraw from his duties. Instead, officials have signalled that his existing commitments remain under consideration as he continues to recover.
Vatican Maintains Plans for November South American Tour
Leo’s return comes as the Vatican continues preparations for an extensive visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru scheduled for November 6 to 17. The trip is expected to involve a demanding programme of public appearances and meetings across the three South American countries.
The Vatican confirmed on Friday that preparations were continuing and released a list of journalists accredited to accompany the pope and report on the visit. The decision offered an indication that officials were still working towards the planned dates despite the recent surgery.
The proposed tour will be closely watched because of its length and the physical demands associated with international travel. A schedule involving several countries can require long journeys, public ceremonies and sustained periods of activity, all of which may need to be considered during the pope’s recovery.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, acknowledged on Friday that Leo might have to adjust the pace of his activities depending on his health.
Parolin’s comments reflected the practical challenges facing the Vatican as it balances the pope’s responsibilities with his medical needs. Although preparations for the November journey are moving forward, the final demands placed on Leo could depend on how he responds to recovery and any further treatment.
Public discussion about the pope’s health has intensified since the cancer diagnosis, with some cardinals expressing concern about his condition. The questions are particularly significant because Leo is still in the early years of his papacy and has begun establishing his priorities as leader of the worldwide Catholic Church.
His return to the Vatican, however, suggests that he is beginning the next phase of recovery while remaining engaged with the institution’s work.
On Friday, the Vatican released the first images of Leo since his surgery. The photographs showed him celebrating Mass and standing without assistance, offering a further indication that he was able to move around independently.
The Vatican has also reported that the pope continued to handle official matters while recovering. On Friday, Leo spoke by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin and urged him to allow a ceasefire that would help deliver essential supplies to Oleshky, a Ukrainian town under Russian control.
The conversation demonstrated that the pope remained involved in diplomatic efforts even as he prepared to leave hospital. His appeal focused on enabling humanitarian assistance to reach people affected by the conflict, underscoring the continuation of his international responsibilities during his recovery.
For Catholics and Vatican observers, the combination of his discharge, the release of photographs and the continuation of official engagements has provided some reassurance. Nevertheless, uncertainty remains over how the illness and treatment may affect his workload in the coming months.
Abdul Halim Fatha, a Lebanese pilgrim who was in St. Peter’s Square when Leo returned to the Vatican, expressed sadness about the pope’s cancer diagnosis but said he remained hopeful.
He said he believed God would remain with the pontiff and protect him.
The sentiment reflected the concern among many of the faithful, for whom the pope’s health is both a personal matter of prayer and an issue with implications for the future direction of the Church.
Leo’s immediate priority is to continue recovering from surgery while preparing for his scheduled public appearance on Sunday. His doctors’ decision to discharge him provides a positive development, but important questions about the extent of his cancer and the treatment ahead remain unanswered.
As preparations continue for the November tour, the Vatican will face the task of maintaining the pope’s programme while allowing sufficient flexibility for his health. Whether he can sustain his previous pace of activity will become clearer as his recovery progresses.