Pope Leo XIV left the Gemelli hospital in Rome on Saturday afternoon. He returned to the Vatican four days after undergoing surgery for lung cancer.
The 71-year-old pope walked unaided to his car and stopped to speak with well-wishers outside the hospital.
“I am better, thank you,” Leo XIV said as he was driven away in a black SUV. Leo XIV entered the Vatican ten minutes after leaving the hospital.
After conducting blood tests and imaging scans of his chest, the pope’s doctors said he was well enough to return home.
Currently, Leo is undergoing physiotherapy to help him breathe more easily.
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What do we know about the Pope’s health?
On Tuesday, Leo XIV had the lower lobe of his right lung removed after doctors identified a nodule suspected to be cancerous. The surgery confirmed that he had adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer.
The doctors said his surgery was successful and complication-free. However, they have not yet disclosed the size of the tumor or if the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes. These factors are key in determining the prognosis.
The diagnosis of the relatively young and energetic pontiff, elected in May 2025, came as a shock. It raised questions about the future of his papacy as he deals with the illness.
On Sunday, Leo is expected to lead weekly prayers with pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square at noon (10:00 a.m. GMT), which will be his first public engagement since his surgery.
Edited by: Jenipher Camino Gonzalez
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