World Church · October 20, 2026
Pope Leo XIV Leaves Gemelli Hospital Following Lung Surgery
Pope Leo XIV has been discharged from the Gemelli Hospital and has returned to the papal apartments in Vatican City State. He is scheduled to lead the Angelus this Sunday, October 18.
The Pope left the Agostino Gemelli Hospital in Rome shortly after 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 17. He had been hospitalized following a surgery performed on October 13 to remove a pulmonary adenocarcinoma. The procedure, which lasted 90 minutes, involved the removal of the lower lobe of the right lung. His discharge followed a clinical evaluation and the results of blood tests and a chest x-ray conducted that morning, which showed a regular post-operative evolution with values remaining within the normal range.
During his recovery, the Pope resumed regular eating the day after the operation. He also celebrated mass, worked, and performed respiratory physiotherapy combined with full physical activity. Upon his departure, he greeted Professor Stefano Margaritora, the director of Thoracic Surgery who led the surgical team, as well as leaders of the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital Foundation IRCCS.
A crowd consisting of patients, faithful, journalists, and media professionals gathered in the hospital courtyard and along a corridor formed by security barriers to offer support and prayers. The Pope spent a few moments with a young Ukrainian woman named Varvara, whom he had previously encouraged on December 31 at Saint Peter's Square before she underwent her own cancer surgery. Varvara, who is now cured, traveled from Turin to greet him.
Other attendees included Elena Beccalli, the rector of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, who offered wishes for a full recovery on behalf of the university community. Italian President Sergio Mattarella also sent a message wishing the Pope a peaceful convalescence and a rapid, complete recovery, noting the global solidarity and affection shown toward the Pontiff.