Pope Leo XIV Leaves Hospital Four Days After Lung Cancer Surgery
Pope Leo XIV has been discharged from Rome's Gemelli Polyclinic four days after surgery to remove the lower lobe of his lung. The 71-year-old pontiff will deliver the traditional Sunday blessing from a window overlooking St. Peter's Square and is scheduled to lead the Angelus prayer.
Pope Leo XIV has been discharged from Rome's Gemelli Polyclinic, four days after undergoing surgery for lung cancer. The 71-year-old pontiff left the hospital in the early afternoon and has returned to the Vatican, where he is expected to resume a limited public schedule.
The pope will deliver the traditional Sunday blessing at midday from a window overlooking St. Peter's Square, a gesture that signals a measured return to his duties. He is also scheduled to preside over the recitation of the Angelus prayer on Sunday, according to the Holy See's communications.
During the operation, surgeons removed the lower lobe of the pope's lung. The procedure was performed at the Gemelli Polyclinic, the large Catholic teaching hospital in Rome that has long served as the medical facility for recent popes. The hospital's medical team authorized his release after monitoring his recovery over the four days since the surgery.
The discharge marks a significant moment for the Vatican, which has been closely watched for signs of how quickly the pontiff can return to the full rhythm of his office. A papal convalescence typically involves a period of reduced activity, with doctors advising rest and a gradual resumption of audiences and liturgical celebrations. The decision to appear at the window for the Sunday blessing suggests the pope's recovery is proceeding as expected, though it does not necessarily indicate a complete return to his normal workload.
Pope Leo XIV, who is 71, has led the Catholic Church since his election. His health has been a subject of prayer and attention among Catholics worldwide, and the news of his surgery prompted an outpouring of support from bishops, clergy, and lay faithful. The Sunday blessing from the Apostolic Palace window is one of the most visible moments of the papal week, drawing pilgrims and tourists into St. Peter's Square and reaching a global audience through broadcast and digital media.
The Gemelli Polyclinic has a long association with papal medical care. Several of Leo's predecessors were treated there, and the hospital maintains a dedicated suite for the pope's use. Its doctors are accustomed to balancing the clinical needs of a patient with the unique public role of the Bishop of Rome, coordinating closely with the Vatican's health services.
The pope's return to the Vatican comes as the Church prepares for a busy autumn calendar of liturgical events and administrative meetings. Whether Leo will be able to preside over these engagements in person will depend on his doctors' guidance in the coming weeks. For now, the Sunday Angelus and blessing will offer the faithful their first glimpse of the pontiff since his surgery, and a sign that his recovery is moving forward.
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