Pope Leo leaves hospital after lung cancer surgery, the Vatican says

Pope Leo has left hospital, four days after his lung cancer surgery.

The Vatican announced that the pontiff would leave Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Saturday afternoon following an operation to remove the lower lobe of his right lung on Tuesday.

After the surgery, which lasted around 90 minutes and which was described as successful, it was confirmed the Pope had adenocarcinoma - the most common type of lung cancer.

Doctors are still awaiting the results of tests to understand the precise makeup of the cancer, whether it has spread beyond the lobe and whether any further treatment is necessary.

He was expected to recover in hospital for about a week, but left earlier than expected after doctors said he was "fit for discharge".

He waved at crowds from inside a car as he left the hospital. He expected to appear in public on Sunday to lead a traditional noontime Angelus prayer.

He spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday and urged a truce with Ukraine, the Vatican said.

In a telephone call with Mr Putin, the Pope expressed "deep concern" for the humanitarian situation in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian town of Oleshky, and called for a truce to allow the entry of first aid and food supplies into the town, the Vatican added.

The Pope was originally sent for treatment at Rome's Gemelli hospital for the removal of the small nodule, which he said on Sunday was spotted early during a recent check-up.

Pre-operative tests had suggested adenocarcinoma, and this was confirmed during the operation, the Vatican said.

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A statement from the Vatican said tests in the morning confirmed the Pope was "fit for discharge".

"In light of the blood tests and the chest X-ray performed this morning, and following an assessment of his clinical status, the Holy Father has been deemed fit for discharge," his doctors, Dr Luigi Carbone and Prof Stefano Margaritora, said.

A separate statement from the Vatican said: "Following the doctors' assessment this morning, Pope Leo XIV will be discharged today from Gemelli Hospital, where he was hospitalised for surgery on his right lung.

"He will leave the hospital in the early afternoon and return to the Vatican. Tomorrow, he will lead the Angelus prayer from the window of the papal apartment."

(c) Sky News 2026: Pope Leo leaves hospital after lung cancer surgery, the Vatican says