Pope Leo XIV has been discharged from the hospital four days after undergoing surgery to remove a lung nodule diagnosed as pulmonary adenocarcinoma, a common type of lung cancer.
The 71-year-old pontiff left Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Saturday, October 17, walking unaided and greeting well-wishers, including a 13-year-old Ukrainian girl who presented him with a stuffed toy.
Doctors said Leo was fit to leave after undergoing blood tests and an X-ray. They expect him to need a couple of weeks to make a complete physical recovery.
The Pope is scheduled to deliver the traditional Sunday blessing from a window overlooking St Peter’s Square, a week after announcing that he would undergo surgery.
The Pope’s illness has prompted concern within the Vatican and raised questions about his schedule and ability to carry out his duties.
Leo, the first American to become pope, was elected in May 2025 at the age of 69. Despite his recent health challenge, he continued working from the hospital, receiving cardinals and speaking by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
During the call, Leo raised concerns about the plight of civilians in Oleshky, a city in southern Ukraine.
His doctors said there were no clinical reasons preventing him from making his planned visit to Latin America from November 6 to 17. The trip is expected to include Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, where he previously served as a missionary and bishop.
However, the Vatican has maintained a cautious approach to the travel plans.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See’s Secretary of State, said the final decision would depend on the Pope’s condition after discharge.
Parolin also said he did not believe Leo had prepared a resignation letter in case a serious illness prevented him from carrying out his duties.
He said the situation had not appeared serious enough to require such a provision.
Shortly before his surgery, Leo confirmed Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle as Dean of the College of Cardinals. The dean plays an important role in preparations for a papal conclave and in presiding over it, provided he is under 80.
Tagle, 69, has previously been mentioned as a possible future pope.
For now, the Vatican is focusing on Leo’s recovery and assessing whether he can proceed with his planned engagements in the coming weeks.
