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Pope Leo XIV, who underwent surgery to remove a mass from his lung at Gemelli Hospital in Rome and was diagnosed with lung cancer, is to be discharged today, the Vatican Press Office said. Doctors found him fit to leave after blood tests, chest X-rays and a clinical assessment this morning.

The Vatican said the pontiff would leave the hospital in the early afternoon and return to the Vatican. The traditional Sunday prayer is expected to be delivered tomorrow from the window of the office overlooking St. Peter's Square.

Vatican announces discharge

The Vatican Press Office released two written statements today about the pope's condition. "This morning's blood tests, chest X-rays and assessment of his clinical condition led to the decision that the pope is fit to be discharged," the first statement said.

A second statement added that, based on the doctors' evaluations this morning, Pope Leo XIV would be discharged today from Gemelli Hospital, where he was treated after right lung surgery, and would leave the facility in the early afternoon and return to the Vatican. The traditional Sunday prayer is also planned for tomorrow from the window of his office facing St. Peter's Square, as usual.

Announcement and operation

During the Sunday prayer on 11 October, delivered from the window of the office overlooking St. Peter's Square, the pope said doctors had found a mass in his lung. "The doctors believe intervention is appropriate, and on their advice I decided to have surgery to remove the nodule. The operation is planned for the coming days. Thank you for your spiritual closeness and I entrust myself to your prayers," he said.

Following the operation on 13 October, the Vatican said the 90-minute surgery had gone well. "The lower lobe of the pope's right lung was removed using video-assisted radical surgery. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, as suspected in the preoperative tests," the statement said.

Schedule cleared and planned travel

Before the surgery, the Vatican announced that all of the pope's engagements had been cancelled until 20 October to allow him to recover.

Media reports said the pope had chosen to have the operation right away so that it would not force the cancellation of a South America trip scheduled for 6-17 November and covering Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.

Elected in the May conclave

Robert Francis Prevost, then a cardinal from the United States, was elected pope at the conclave in the Vatican on 8 May 2025, after the death of the previous head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, on 21 April 2025. He took the name Pope Leo XIV.

Key takeaways

• Vatican doctors cleared Pope Leo XIV for discharge today after tests and a clinical assessment this morning.
• The lower lobe of his right lung was removed on 13 October; histology confirmed lung adenocarcinoma.
• All of the pope's engagements were cancelled until 20 October.
• The traditional Sunday prayer is planned tomorrow from the window overlooking St. Peter's Square.