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Pope Leo XIV to leave Rome hospital a week after lung operation
Reported by Faizan Khan (Staff Writer) · BBC News - World ·
Confirmed by a second source: Google News - USA World
Photo: Wikimedia CommonsPope Leo XIV will be released from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Saturday, just four days after a 90‑minute operation that removed the lower lobe of his right lung. Doctors said blood tests and a chest X‑ray show steady improvement, though further scans to see if the cancer has spread are still pending. The pontiff celebrated Mass and handed communion to hospital staff on Friday, and the Vatican confirmed he will lead the Angelus prayer and give his blessing in St Peter’s Square on Sunday, as he did when he announced the surgery last week.
Diplomatic Outreach
On Friday the Pope also spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin, their first conversation since June 2025. The Vatican said the call was meant to push for dialogue and peace amid Russia’s intensified attacks on Ukrainian cities, which have caused rising civilian casualties and show no sign of a cease‑fire. During the same period the Pope appealed for a humanitarian pause in fighting around the occupied Ukrainian town of Oleshkiy, urging that civilians be evacuated and essential food and medicine delivered. Recent reports say residents there have resorted to eating garden weeds to survive.
Context
The Angelus is a daily prayer the Pope delivers from the balcony of St Peter’s Square, drawing millions of viewers. A pope’s health often influences the Vatican’s diplomatic agenda, especially when global conflicts demand a moral voice. Calls for humanitarian pauses in Ukraine have been a recurring theme of recent papal statements.
ExplainerWhy this matters
What Happened
Pope Leo XIV underwent lung surgery on Tuesday to remove a cancerous growth, was released from the hospital on Saturday, and resumed public duties by delivering the Angelus on Sunday.
Why It Matters
The Pope’s quick recovery signals that the Vatican can continue its diplomatic outreach, especially as the pontiff uses his moral authority to call for peace in the Ukraine war. His health also affects the timing of a planned Latin‑America tour, which could influence the Church’s presence in regions where Catholicism is growing. The appeal for a humanitarian pause in Oleshkiy highlights the Pope’s role in drawing global attention to civilian suffering.
What Happens Next
Doctors will complete additional scans to determine whether the cancer has spread, and they will decide if further treatment is needed. The Vatican will monitor the Pope’s condition before confirming the November trip to Peru and other Latin‑American countries. Meanwhile, the Pope is likely to keep urging dialogue between Russia and Ukraine, using upcoming speeches and prayers to keep the issue in the public eye.
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