# Smiling Pope Returns to Vatican After Cancer Surgery

> Pope Leo XIV smiles as he leaves Rome hospital four days after lung cancer surgery.
- Title: Smiling Pope Returns to Vatican After Cancer Surgery · Dawn
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: pope leo xiv, cancer surgery, vatican, gemelli hospital, lung cancer, papacy, discharge, angels prayer, ukrainian girl, ceasefire, news, politics
- Source: Dawn — https://dawn.com/news/2037823/smiling-pope-returns-to-vatican-after-cancer-surgery
- Author: AFP
- Published: 2026-10-17T11:13:19+00:00
- Read time: 3 min
- Topics: pope leo xiv, cancer surgery, vatican, gemelli hospital, lung cancer, papacy, discharge, angels prayer, ukrainian girl, ceasefire, news, politics
## 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
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
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
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.
## Key takeaway

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