Pope Leo XIV discharged after lung cancer surgery

Pope Leo XIV was discharged from Rome's Gemelli Polyclinic on October 17, 2026, four days after undergoing a 90-minute video-assisted surgery to remove a cancerous nodule and the lower lobe of his right lung. Doctors confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, caught at an early stage. The 71-year-old pontiff walked unassisted, celebrated Mass in hospital, and conducted diplomatic outreach to Russian President Vladimir Putin. He is expected to lead the Angelus prayer on October 18.

Hospital discharge and recovery

• ▪Pope Leo XIV was discharged from Rome's Gemelli Polyclinic on Saturday afternoon, October 17, 2026, four days after undergoing lung cancer surgery
• ▪Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni stated that Pope Leo XIV's estimated post-operative recovery time will be approximately one week
• ▪Personal physician Dr. Luigi Carbone and chief thoracic surgeon Professor Stefano Margaritora declared Pope Leo XIV fit for discharge following morning blood tests and chest X-rays on October 17, 2026
• ▪On Friday, October 16, 2026, Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass in his hospital suite and walked without physical assistance, as shown in photographs released by the Vatican

Diagnosis and surgical treatment

• ▪On Tuesday, October 13, 2026, surgeons at Gemelli Polyclinic performed a 90-minute video-assisted operation that removed a cancerous nodule and the lower lobe of Pope Leo XIV's right lung
• ▪Pope Leo XIV publicly announced his localized lung nodule diagnosis on Sunday, October 11, 2026, during an address in St. Peter's Square prior to his scheduled surgery
• ▪Medical experts not involved in Pope Leo XIV's care stated that using surgery as the primary intervention for his October 13, 2026 operation indicates his lung cancer was caught at an early stage
• ▪Tissue examination following Pope Leo XIV's October 13, 2026 surgery confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer

Post-surgery public schedule

• ▪Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to lead the Angelus prayer from the window of the papal apartment overlooking St. Peter's Square on Sunday, October 18, 2026
• ▪The Vatican cleared Pope Leo XIV's public schedule through October 20, 2026, while maintaining preparations for his November 6-17 trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru

Phone call with Vladimir Putin

• ▪Pope Leo XIV and Russian President Vladimir Putin previously held a phone call in June 2025 prior to their October 16, 2026 conversation
• ▪On Friday, October 16, 2026, Pope Leo XIV telephoned Russian President Vladimir Putin to urge dialogue, peace, and a ceasefire in Ukraine, specifically requesting a humanitarian ceasefire in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky