Pope Leo XIV smiled and waved at supporters as he left hospital, four days after surgeons removed a cancerous growth from his lung.
The 71-year-old pontiff underwent a 90-minute operation on Tuesday morning after doctors discovered a lesion in his chest. Part of his right lung was removed, and subsequent testing confirmed the presence of cancer.
Medical staff identified the condition as adenocarcinoma, the most frequently diagnosed form of lung cancer.
The Vatican said Pope Leo is expected to appear at the window overlooking St Peter’s Square on Sunday to deliver the traditional noon blessing.
In an earlier statement, the Pope’s personal physician and surgeon said he had been cleared to leave hospital after blood tests, a chest X-ray carried out on Saturday morning and an overall assessment of his condition all indicated that he was fit for discharge.
The American pontiff departed Gemelli Hospital on Saturday afternoon and made his way back to the Vatican.
Pope Leo has provided an unusually open account of his health, telling worshippers gathered in St Peter’s Square last Sunday that doctors had detected a nodule on his lung and planned to remove it.
He shared the diagnosis with viewers around the world during a live televised blessing, mentioning it briefly near the end of his address.
Pope Leo XIV smiled and waved to supporters as he left hospital four days after surgery to remove a cancerous mass from his lung
Doctors confirmed that Pope Leo has adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer
The Pope’s personal physician and surgeon previously said he was considered fit to be discharged from hospital
Pope Leo was accompanied by members of his entourage as he left Gemelli Hospital on Saturday afternoon
Well-wishers gathered outside the hospital hoping to see Pope Leo
The Vatican has traditionally kept details about papal health closely guarded, a long-standing approach reflected in the familiar Italian saying that the pope is well until he dies.
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Since undergoing surgery, Pope Leo has appeared to be making a strong recovery. He has spoken by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin, met senior aides and celebrated Mass in the chapel at the hospital.
His personal doctor has also described his recovery as progressing well, saying the pontiff has been able to continue with his normal daily activities entirely independently.
The Vatican released the first photographs of Pope Leo after his lung cancer operation on Friday. The images showed him standing at an altar in the hospital chapel wearing green vestments, while doctors reported that tests showed his condition was continuing to improve.
Spokesman Matteo Bruni said Pope Leo led the liturgy by himself and gave Communion to medical workers and Vatican gendarmes attending the service.
During his homily, the pontiff thanked hospital employees for their daily work caring for vulnerable patients, with particular appreciation for the treatment and support they had provided to him, Bruni said.
The Vatican had initially expected Pope Leo to remain in hospital for seven days and cancelled his scheduled audiences through Tuesday.
Bruni said the discharge date would be decided by the Pope’s doctors.
Pope Leo XIV was pictured on Friday celebrating Mass at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, Rome
An image of Pope Leo was placed near the statue of Pope John Paul II outside Gemelli Hospital
Well-wishers placed a banner outside the hospital with the words ‘Long live the Pope’
His next big agenda item is a trip to Latin America next month, which gives Pope Leo three more weeks of recovery before taking on the ambitious journey. His itinerary is said to include a dozen flights and two helicopter trips.
The Vatican has given signs the trip will go ahead, publishing the names of journalists accredited to fly on Pope Leo’s plane on Friday.
Oncology surgeons say protocols generally clear patients to fly after three weeks, as long as recovery allows.
Doctors are still awaiting test results to determine whether further treatment will be necessary.
