Pope Leo discharged from hospital after lung cancer surgery

· Health · Italy

Pope Leo returned to the Vatican on Saturday after undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his lung, capping days of uncertainty that had rattled the Vatican and the world's 1.4 billion Catholics less than two years into the Chicago-born pope's papacy. Doctors said the pontiff was 'fit for discharge' and that they were seeing 'continued improvement' after the operation at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, where part of his right lung was removed on Tuesday. The smiling pope will give the traditional Angelus prayer and blessing in St Peter's Square on Sunday, leading prayers from his apartment.

Why it matters：The health of the pope affects governance of the Catholic Church worldwide, and a smooth recovery eases institutional uncertainty.

Key points

  • Part of his right lung was removed on Tuesday at Rome's Gemelli Hospital.
  • Doctors described him as 'fit for discharge' with continued improvement.
  • He will lead the Angelus from his apartment on Sunday.

Sources (original reporting)

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