Pope Leo XIV has been discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital just four days after undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous growth from his lung.
The 71-year-old pontiff walked unaided to his waiting car before stopping to greet well-wishers outside the hospital.
The Vatican said the Pope would deliver the traditional Angelus prayer and blessing to a crowd in St Peter’s Square on Sunday, following a similar surprise appearance last week when he announced that he would undergo surgery.
On Friday, photographs were released showing the Pope celebrating Mass and distributing communion to hospital staff during his recovery.
A statement from his doctors said blood tests and a chest X-ray had shown “steady improvement” following the operation.
The 90-minute procedure, carried out on Tuesday, involved removing the lower lobe of the Pope’s right lung. However, results from further tests to determine whether the cancer had spread have yet to be announced.
Despite his recent surgery, the Pope also spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday in their first telephone conversation since June 2025. The Vatican said the call was intended to promote “dialogue and peace”.
The conversation came as Russia intensified its bombardment of Ukrainian cities, with civilian casualties continuing to rise and no indication that Putin was prepared to end the invasion.
The Pope also called for a humanitarian ceasefire in Oleshkiy, a Ukrainian city occupied by Russia and subjected to constant shelling, to allow residents to evacuate and receive urgently needed food and medicine.
The BBC recently reported that residents in the city had been forced to eat weeds from gardens to survive.
The Pope’s schedule has been completely cleared until Oct 20, making his swift return to public view a surprise and a source of relief for Catholics around the world.
People close to the pontiff said he was keen to avoid postponing a trip to Latin America planned for early November. The visit includes Peru, where he spent many years as a missionary.
However, it remains unclear whether he will be fit enough to travel or require further treatment.
