Four days after a surgery to remove part of his lung, doctors clear Pope Leo for discharge
Three days ahead of schedule.
Pope Leo XIV is officially out of the hospital just four days after his surgery. Doctors gave him the green light to leave in the afternoon on Saturday, October 17, 2026. According to The Guardian, Leo walked out of Gemelli Hospital in Rome without any help. Crowds of well-wishers cheered as he headed toward a black SUV. The 71-year-old leader told supporters he is feeling “much better” as he left the facility.
His medical team, Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora, confirmed he was “fit for discharge” in a statement. They made this decision after looking at his blood tests and a chest X-ray. The surgery involved removing the lower lobe of his right lung to extract a cancerous tumor. He was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, which is a common form of lung cancer. This operation happened on Tuesday.
Leo spent his time in a high-security suite at the hospital. This specific suite is famous for hosting popes over the years.
The Vatican originally planned for him to stay in the hospital for a full week
The pontiff beat that estimate by getting out three days early. He even managed to celebrate mass in his 10th-floor hospital room before leaving. Leo stayed productive during his recovery as well. He made a phone call to Russian president Vladimir Putin on Friday and urged him to call for a ceasefire in Oleshky, Ukraine.
The public learned about the Pope’s health in a rare move of transparency. Leo announced the discovery of a small nodule during an angelus prayer on October 11. This was a major shift from the usual secrecy regarding papal health. Experts attribute this to his background. He is the first US-born leader of the church. Some suggest that he wants to balance privacy with being open to the faithful. Speculation has arisen about whether this will impact his future, as he is less than two years into his role.
Rev. Patrick Flanagan, chair of St. John’s University’s theology department told the New York Post that Church law does not have a clear plan for when a pope is sick. There is no specific rule for transferring power if he cannot perform his duties. Flanagan points out that the Roman Catholic church is a well-run organization. He believes the church will continue to function because everyone knows their role.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin mentioned that the Pope might need to change his upcoming schedule. Leo has a massive trip to South America planned for November. This 12-day journey covers 19,000 miles and includes 14 flights. It is not clear if he will make that trip yet. His appointments are currently canceled until October 20.
Leo is expected to recite the Angelus from the window of the Apostolic Palace on Sunday
The Vatican is still waiting on test results to see if the cancer has spread. They need to figure out if he requires further treatment like chemotherapy. This is a big question for the church and the public alike.
The Pope, whose name is Robert Francis Prevost, was admitted during a busy week for the Vatican. A summit of 200 people was happening from October 7 to 14. They were discussing topics like marriage and social media influences. Leo sent a message to the group while he was in the hospital. He thanked them for their prayers and their work.
The pontiff also had to miss a trip to Castel Gandolfo on Tuesday. He was supposed to present a sustainability medal there. A basketball game in Rome is also on the horizon for November 1. There is a planned audience with him at the St. Paul VI Audience Hall for that event.
The recovery process seems to be moving along well for now
Doctors said on Thursday that the Pope’s daily activities were done independently. He even finished a full session of physiotherapy. The world is watching to see how he manages his health moving forward. For now, he is resting outside of the hospital walls.
The focus remains on his recovery and the next steps for his leadership. He has shown a unique style of communication since his election in May 2025. People seem to value this direct approach to his own vulnerability. It is a new chapter for the Vatican in many ways.
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