Pope Leo XIV leaves Rome’s Gemelli hospital four days after surgery on his right lung
Pope Leo XIV left Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Saturday, Oct. 17, and returned to the Vatican, Vatican News and ABC News reported. Doctors cleared him after blood tests and a chest X-ray. He had surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, confirmed as adenocarcinoma, Fox News and Vatican News reported. The Vatican said he would lead the Angelus from his window Sunday. A trip to Latin America is set for Nov. 6 to 17.
The first American pope’s health affects the Church’s schedule and his planned travel. A quick discharge signals doctors are confident in his recovery.
For American Catholics, the Sunday Angelus will be the first public sign of how he is doing.
The Vatican and his doctors say he is fit and has already resumed work, with no clinical obstacles to the Latin America trip.
Italian reports note the trip comes just weeks after surgery and treat it as a point of concern.
Confirmed: discharge and surgery details. Not confirmed: any further treatment plan. Watch Sunday’s Angelus appearance.
DailyDrop U.S. No. 14 · October 18, 2026