Pope Leo Discharged from Hospital 4 Days After Surgery for Lung Cancer

Updated on: October 17, 2026 / 12:05 PM EDT / CBS News

Pope Leo Discharged from Hospital 4 Days After Surgery for Lung Cancer

TL;DR

  • Pope Leo XIV was discharged from Gemelli Hospital on Saturday, four days after surgery for lung cancer.
  • He greeted crowds outside the hospital and waved from his car before returning to Vatican City.
  • The 71-year-old pope had a portion of his right lung removed; the tumor was discovered incidentally.
  • He has resumed some work, including celebrating Mass and speaking with Vladimir Putin by phone.
  • His surgeon stated there is no clinical reason he should skip an upcoming trip to South America.
  • The Vatican announced he will recite the Angelus prayer from his papal apartment on Sunday.