Pope Leo XIV Back at Vatican After Lung Cancer Surgery

Pope Leo XIV returned to the Vatican on Saturday after doctors cleared him to leave Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, four days after surgery removed a cancerous nodule from his right lung, according to the Holy See Press Office and Vatican News.

Dr. Luigi Carbone, the pontiff’s personal physician, and Professor Stefano Margaritora, who led the thoracic surgery team at Gemelli, said in a Saturday morning statement that blood tests and a chest X-ray that morning, together with an evaluation of his clinical condition, showed he was fit for discharge, according to the Holy See Press Office.

BREAKING: Pope Leo XIV is expected to be discharged from hospital later today, just four days after surgery for lung cancer. @ctrlamb pic.twitter.com/sut9OJsUWl

— Will Ripley (@willripleyCNN) October 17, 2026

CNN Vatican correspondent Will Ripley reported on X as the discharge unfolded Saturday, and NEWSMAX Vatican correspondent Anneliese Taggart separately posted video of Leo leaving the hospital and returning to Vatican City.

The Chicago-born pope, who leads the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, had been admitted to Gemelli on Tuesday for the lung procedure. Vatican News reported that before leaving the hospital Saturday afternoon, Leo thanked Margaritora and the medical and nursing team, greeted healthcare staff, and met Catholic University of the Sacred Heart Rector Professor Elena Beccalli and hospital leadership.

Angelus set for Sunday

The Holy See Press Office said Pope Leo will lead the noonday Angelus prayer on Sunday from the window of the papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace, according to Vatican News. NBC News reported that he walked out of Gemelli unaided, spoke briefly with well-wishers, and accepted a homemade gift before being driven back to the Vatican.

Vatican News said Leo celebrated Mass in the chapel on the 10th floor of Gemelli before his departure. The Vatican released images Friday of the pope celebrating Mass inside the hospital as doctors described continued improvement in his recovery, according to NBC News.

What doctors have said — and what they have not

Doctors have confirmed the nodule removed from the lower lobe of Leo’s right lung was an adenocarcinoma, a form of non-small cell lung cancer, according to prior Holy See briefings summarized by NBC News and AP. So far, Leo’s doctors have given no public indication that he needs further treatment, and the Vatican has not said whether the cancer spread, NBC News reported.

The initial lump was detected during a routine check, the Vatican has said. Leo took the unusual step of telling the faithful about the health issue during his Sunday Angelus last week, according to NBC News — the first major medical disclosure of his papacy.

For American Catholics, the discharge carries extra weight: Leo is the first U.S.-born pope, raised in Chicago before decades of ministry that took him to Peru and then Rome. His return to the papal apartments four days after major lung surgery is the clearest public signal yet that the Vatican believes his recovery is on track for a normal weekend schedule.

Daily Beltway will update this report if the Holy See releases additional medical details or if Leo’s Sunday Angelus is delayed.

Sources

• Holy See Press Office — doctors’ discharge statement (Oct. 17, 2026)
• Vatican News — Pope Leo XIV returns to Vatican after discharge
• NBC News — Pope Leo discharged after lung cancer surgery
• Will Ripley (CNN) on X — Pope Leo discharge coverage
• NEWSMAX on X — Anneliese Taggart report on Leo’s discharge

Reporting by Daily Beltway.