Pope Leo XIV returns to Vatican after lung surgery

Pope Leo returned to the Vatican on Saturday afternoon after being discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital following surgery on his right lung, Vatican News reported.

The pontiff returned to the papal apartments after five days of hospitalization.

Doctors Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora said blood tests and a chest X-ray conducted Saturday morning confirmed that his clinical condition allowed him to leave the hospital.

The Holy See Press Office said he would lead Sunday’s noonday Angelus prayer from the window of the Apostolic Palace.

Before returning to the Vatican, the pope celebrated Mass in a room designated for worship on the hospital’s 10th floor.

The pontiff announced on Oct. 11 that doctors had detected a mass in his lung, and recommended surgery to remove the nodule.

The Vatican said the 90-minute operation on Oct. 13 was successful. Surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung, with tissue analysis confirming lung adenocarcinoma.

His scheduled engagements through Oct. 20 had been canceled to allow for recovery.