Pope Leo leaves hospital four days after lung cancer surgery

Pope Leo XIV left the Gemelli hospital in Rome on Saturday afternoon, four days after undergoing surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung due to a cancerous nodule, DW English reported.

The surgery confirmed that the pope has adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer. Doctors described the operation as successful and without complications but have not disclosed tumor size or lymph node involvement, which are important for prognosis, according to DW English and The Guardian.

After leaving the hospital, the 71-year-old pope walked unaided to his car and spoke briefly with well-wishers before returning to the Vatican, where he is now undergoing physiotherapy to improve his breathing, DW English noted.

The Vatican announced that Pope Leo is expected to lead the traditional Sunday noon blessing in St. Peter's Square, demonstrating his ongoing public duties despite his health condition, according to singletonargus.com.au.

Since the surgery, the pope has shown signs of recovery, including conducting a mass in the hospital chapel and engaging in phone calls and meetings, with his personal physician stating he was fit for discharge based on clinical assessments and test results, singletonargus.com.au added.