Pope Leo has been discharged from Rome’s Agostino Gemelli hospital, four days after undergoing surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung.
The 71-year-old pontiff’s operation was described as successful and confirmed that he had lung adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer, which doctors had suspected before the procedure.
The Holy See Press Office said Pope Leo underwent blood tests and a chest X-ray before leaving hospital. Dr Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora said the results confirmed that his clinical condition allowed him to be discharged.
Before returning to the Vatican, Pope Leo held Mass at the hospital and thanked Professor Margaritora, who performed the surgery, along with the medical and nursing teams. He also greeted healthcare staff, Professor Elena Beccalli, rector of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, and the leadership of the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital.
The Vatican said Pope Leo will lead the traditional Angelus prayer and blessing in St Peter’s Square on Sunday October 18.
