Smiling Pope Returns to Vatican After Cancer Surgery

Pope Leo XIV smiles as he leaves Rome hospital four days after lung cancer surgery.

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Oct 17, 2026

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Smiling Pope Returns to Vatican After Cancer Surgery

Pope Leo XIV smiles as he leaves Rome hospital four days after lung cancer surgery.

In brief

Pope Leo XIV smiles as he leaves Rome hospital four days after lung cancer surgery. Pope Leo XIV returned to Vatican after successful lung cancer surgery, with doctors declaring him fit for discharge. Originally reported by Dawn.

Pope Leo XIV returns to Vatican

Pope Leo XIV left hospital to enthusiastic cheers and applause from well-wishers and returned home to the Vatican on Saturday, four days after undergoing surgery for lung cancer.

Pope Leo XIV's hospital discharge

The 71-year-old pope was seen crossing the lobby of the Gemelli Hospital on foot and exiting the building, smiling as he shook hands and waved.

Pope Leo XIV meets Ukrainian girl

Pope Leo XIV meets Ukrainian girl

He spoke briefly to the doctors who treated him and hospital officials before pausing to speak with a Ukrainian girl, a cancer survivor who wanted to wish him well in his recovery.

Pope Leo XIV's surgery details

Pope Leo XIV had been at the Gemelli Hospital north of the Vatican since Tuesday when doctors removed part of his right lung to extract a cancerous tumour.

Doctors declare Pope fit for discharge

Doctors Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora wrote in a note published by the Vatican that the Holy Father has been deemed fit for discharge.

Pope Leo XIV's planned activities

Pope Leo XIV, followed by his surgeon Stefano Margaritora, waves to people as he leaves the Gemelli University Hospital, four days after a surgery to remove a c

The Vatican said that Leo on Sunday planned to recite the Angelus prayer from the window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St Peter’s Square, as is customary.

Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass

Before his discharge, Leo celebrated Mass at noon, according to the Vatican, as he has in recent days, in a room on the 10th floor where he has been recovering.

Ukrainian girl's message

The 13-year-old Ukrainian girl who spoke with the pope outside the hospital earlier on Saturday told AFP that she was rooting for him.

Ukrainian girl's story

This photo taken and handout on October 17, 2026 by The Vatican Media shows Pope Leo XIV shaking hands with his surgeon Stefano Margaritora outside the Gemelli

The cancer survivor said she had met the pope last year in Rome, 'and he blessed me for a successful treatment'.

Pope Leo XIV's recovery progress

News that the otherwise active pope had a cancerous tumour removed from his lung was met with trepidation among the world’s Catholics and other supporters.

Pope Leo XIV's work resumption

Leo has resumed some work, making a call on Friday to Russian President Vladimir Putin to urge a ceasefire in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky.

Pope Leo XIV's planned voyage

Up in the air, however, is a planned papal voyage to South America, scheduled for November 6-17 to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.

Pope Leo XIV's anxiety about voyage

Vatican watchers say that Leo, who spent two decades as a missionary in Peru, is anxious to make the long journey, but will likely follow the recommendations of his doctors.

Pope Leo XIV cancels audiences

Leo has cancelled all his audiences until October 20.

Pope Leo XIV's diagnosis announcement

The pope announced to the public in St Peter’s Square last Sunday, following the Angelus prayer, that a routine medical examination had revealed a nodule that doctors recommended should be removed.

What to remember

Pope Leo XIV returned to Vatican after successful lung cancer surgery, with doctors declaring him fit for discharge.

Read the original on Dawn

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