An image of Pope Leo XIV and other items are displayed outside Rome's Gemelli Hospital in the evening hours of Oct. 13, 2026, where the pontiff underwent surgery to remove a lung nodule. The Vatican announced that evening the surgery was successful.
ROME — Pope Leo XIV was discharged from the hospital Oct. 17 after doctors deemed him fit to return to the Vatican four days after lung cancer surgery.
The pope walked out of Rome's Gemelli Hospital at about 3:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon waving to dozens of well-wishes and journalists waiting outside of the hospital.
In a joint statement released by the Vatican that morning, the pope's personal physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, and chief surgeon Dr. Stefano Margaritora said, "Based on the blood tests and chest X-ray performed this morning, and after evaluating his clinical condition, the Holy Father has been deemed fit for discharge."
As he left the hospital, Pope Leo stopped to speak with a 13-year-old Ukrainian girl named Varvara who had previously greeted him while being treated for cancer in Rome earlier this year, according to Vatican News.
With the help of a Ukrainian priest as translator, Varvara explained to the pope that his embrace of her before her own cancer surgery in December had given her "the strength to overcome the illness."
The girl handed Pope Leo a large printed photo of their hug in St. Peter's Square and a handmade felt toy she had made in his likeness.
Before being discharged from the hospital, Pope Leo celebrated noon Mass at the hospital as he did the previous day, the Vatican spokesman noted.
The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Leo will lead the Sunday noon Angelus prayer on Oct. 18 from the window of the Apostolic Palace.
The morning's announcement of the pope's imminent discharge from the hospital came earlier than previously expected, as the Holy See Press Office had originally indicated that the pope would remain in the hospital for about a week following his Oct. 13 admission to Gemelli on the day of his surgery.
During the 90-minute video-assisted technique operation, doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung. Following the surgery, the Vatican revealed that the pope had been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma.
The pope's discharge from the hospital comes less than one week since he announced to the world that he would be undergoing lung surgery during his Sunday Angelus address on Oct. 11, in which he disclosed that recent medical examinations had revealed a "well-contained" lung nodule that had been "detected at a very early stage."
According to Vatican News, further post-operation tests on the tissue removed were planned in the days following the surgery. The status of results of any additional laboratory analysis of tissue removed during surgery have not been made public.
— Courtney Mares, OSV News
In hospital, Pope Leo's tests show 'good recovery of the operated lung,' doctors say
ROME — Doctors treating Pope Leo XIV said Oct. 15 that tests show "good recovery of the operated lung" two days after his cancer surgery.
A joint statement from Dr. Luigi Carbone, the pope's personal doctor, and Dr. Stefano Margaritora, the chief surgeon for his operation, said that Pope Leo underwent routine checks in Rome's Gemelli Hospital on the morning of Oct. 15 which "showed normal results."
"The chest X-ray revealed good recovery of the operated lung," the doctors added, noting that the pope's physical therapy session that day also "included a full range of motor activities."
"Overall, his postoperative recovery is proceeding as expected," the statement said.
Pope Leo carried out his daily activities independently, it said, something Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni described as including doing a bit of normal work activities from the hospital.
On the night of Oct. 14, the Vatican confirmed that Pope Leo had concelebrated a Mass that day in the hospital chapel on the 10th floor on the day after his surgery.
Pope Leo was admitted to Gemelli Hospital Oct. 13 a few hours before his lung cancer surgery, following the pope's Oct. 11 disclosure that recent medical examinations had revealed a "well-contained" lung nodule that had been "detected at a very early stage."
During the 90-minute video-assisted technique operation, doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung.
The Vatican spokesman told journalists Oct. 14 that before having surgery, the 71-year-old pope had undergone a robotic bronchoscopy with biopsy, a chest CT scan with contrast, which indicated that the lung lobectomy was needed.
"They caught it early enough, and he'll be able to heal from the surgery and go on with his papal ministry," Pope Leo's older brother, Louis Prevost, said Oct. 13 in an interview with Newsmax.
The pope's brother said he is currently in treatment for cancer, participating in a clinical trial in Tampa, Florida, for multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer affecting the bone marrow, which he was first diagnosed with in 2017 and had been in remission until this year. He said that because of the clinical trial he is unable to travel to see his brother as he recovers from surgery in Rome.
On the day of the surgery, "I got a message from his right hand that he was out of surgery, awake, feeling good, and was in no pain," Prevost said. "So, as far as I know thus far, he's in good shape, in good hands."
The Italian newspaper Repubblica said Oct. 15 that reportedly Pope Leo's tumor had been discovered by chance in mid-September around the pope's 71st birthday during an MRI scan of the abdomen performed discreetly at Fatebenefratelli Hospital.
The report raises questions as to what Pope Leo may have known about his health during his apostolic visit to France and pilgrimage to the healing Marian shrine of Lourdes, where the pope prayed for and offered words of encouragement to the sick and the suffering.
According to Vatican News, further post-operation tests on the tissue removed were planned in the days following the surgery. It would typically take at least a week to get all of the biopsy results back, doctors not involved in the pope's care told OSV News.
Pope Leo is expected to remain in Rome's Gemelli Hospital as he recovers from surgery for at least one week. The Vatican has canceled all of the pope's scheduled audiences through Oct. 20.
— Courtney Mares, OSV News
Pope Leo XIV starts respiratory physical therapy a day after lung cancer surgery
ROME — Pope Leo XIV underwent more medical exams and started respiratory physical therapy on Oct. 14, the day after the lung cancer surgery that removed the lower lobe of the pope's right lung.
In the first medical update provided by the Vatican since the late-night revelation of the pope's lung cancer diagnosis, the pope's doctors said Wednesday that the pope's "recovery is proceeding as expected" and the pope has begun walking around his hospital room.
"This morning, the Holy Father underwent the blood tests and chest X-ray scheduled following the surgery. The results confirm a normal postoperative recovery: the values are within the normal range for the type of surgery performed," the joint statement by Dr. Stefano Margaritora, the pope's surgeon, and Dr. Luigi Carbone, the pope's personal doctor, said.
"The Holy Father underwent respiratory physical therapy and has begun walking around his room. He has resumed his regular diet, having had breakfast and lunch. His recovery is proceeding as expected."
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni told journalists that Pope Leo was "in good spirits" the day after surgery. Bruni told journalists that before having surgery, Pope Leo had undergone a robotic bronchoscopy with biopsy, a chest CT scan with contrast, and a PET scan which indicated the need for the Oct. 13 surgery.
Pope Leo was admitted to Gemelli Hospital Oct. 13 for the lung surgery, following the pope's Oct. 11 disclosure that recent medical examinations had revealed a "well-contained" lung nodule that had been "detected at a very early stage."
According to Vatican News, post-operation tests will be conducted on the removed tissue in the coming days.
In response to a question of how long the wait might be to receive any results as to whether cancer remains beyond what was removed during the pope's surgery, Bruni said, "You have to ask a doctor for the timing of those. It usually takes five, 10, 15 days depending on the situation."
Speaking with OSV News, medical experts indicated that a potential analysis of the pope's lymph nodes could be key to evaluating the next steps.
Dr. Nirmal Veeramachaneni, professor of cardiothoracic surgery at St. Louis University School of Medicine and medical director for lung cancer screening at SSM Health -- who is not involved in the pope's care -- said in an interview with OSV News that it would typically take a week to get all of the biopsy results back.
The pope's doctors Oct. 14 statement is the first update from the Vatican on the pope's medical condition since the pope's surgery ended with the revelation from his doctors that the "examination confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, as suspected by the preoperative tests."
Adenocarcinoma of the lung is the most common form of lung cancer in the United States. It represents about 40% of all lung cancers, according to the Lung Cancer Foundation of America.
The right lower lobe of the lung, which Pope Leo had removed, is the largest of the three lobes in the right lung. Located in the posterior and inferior part of the right chest cavity, it contributes roughly 30% of total lung capacity, making it the single largest lung lobe, according to the Baylor College of Medicine.
Pope Leo is expected to remain in Rome's Gemelli Hospital as he recovers from surgery for at least one week. The Vatican has canceled all of the pope's scheduled audiences through Oct. 20.
Bruni said that there were no changes to announce at this time to the pope's expected length of stay in the hospital or to the pope's scheduled trip to Latin America Nov. 6-17. He said that Pope Leo XIV had "manifested his intention" to travel to Peru and "that's still there."
The previously published schedule for the 12-day trip to South America indicated that he would travel more than 19,000 miles on 14 flights during a November trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, which includes stops high in the Andes mountains.
Peru's President Keiko Fujimori said the country received the news of the pontiff's diagnosis "with deep sadness" and asked God "to care for him, to give him strength, and allow us to see him soon recovered."
"Holy Father, this land, which is also your home, embraces you with immense affection. Today it is our turn to accompany you with our prayers, just as you have so many times accompanied us with yours," she wrote.
— Courtney Mares, OSV News
Pope Leo XIV's surgery reveals lung cancer
ROME — Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer following a 90-minute surgery on Oct. 13 during which surgeons removed the lower lobe of the pope's right lung.
Dr. Stefano Margaritora, chief thoracic surgeon at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, led a medical team in the video-assisted technique operation. In a joint statement with Dr. Luigi Carbone released at just before 10 p.m., the doctors said that the "examination confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, as suspected by the preoperative tests."
"The Holy Father was in the operating room for about 3 hours; the surgery itself lasted approximately 90 minutes," the statement said. "After the surgery, the pope woke up as expected and, following a brief period of observation, returned to his room on the 10th floor."
The pope underwent the surgery in the late afternoon after being admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital at 1 p.m.
"The surgery was successful, completed on schedule and as planned, and the Holy Father has returned to his room," the Holy See Press Office said in a statement issued shortly before 8 p.m.
Pope Leo was expected to remain for one week of recovery in Rome's Gemelli Hospital, located atop Monte Mario, the highest hill in Rome. The Vatican has canceled all of the pope's scheduled audiences through Oct. 20.
According to Vatican News, post-operation tests will be conducted on the removed tissue in the coming days. The Holy See was expected to provide an update on Pope Leo's condition the morning of Oct. 14.
Following the operation, Pope Leo had dinner and spent the evening in the company of Vatican staff members, according to Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See's press office.
According to Vatican News, post-operation tests will be conducted on the removed tissue in the coming days. The Holy See was expected to provide an update on Pope Leo's condition the morning of Oct. 14.
Following the operation, Pope Leo had dinner and spent the evening in the company of Vatican staff members, according to Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See's press office.
The hospital's chapel was overflowing with people on Tuesday evening as Cardinal Baldassare Reina, the vicar general of the Diocese of Rome, led a rosary for the pope's healing as people anxiously awaited the results of the pope's operation.
Among those who came to pray was Sister Alphonsa Manikkathan from India's state of Kerala and her fellow sisters from the Daughters of Divine Providence whose residence is located near the hospital.
"We pray for the pope every day, not only today," Sister Alphonsa told OSV News. "Jesus said wherever two or more are gathered and pray for something, he will give. So for his fast recovery, we are praying."
Father Miguel Silvestre Bengoa from Spain also joined in the rosary at the hospital. "If the pope is suffering, we also suffer with him," he said. "But we want also to see him again in the Vatican."
"It was so nice to be close to the pope in this same hospital," the priest said. "We entrust the health of the pope to the hands of Our Lady."
Pope Leo's operation took place just days after he first revealed to the world that he needed surgery at the end of his Angelus address in St. Peter's Square on Oct. 11.
Speaking from the window of the Apostolic Palace, the pope announced that doctors had discovered a nodule in his lung during a medical examination, adding that the growth was detected "at a very early stage" and it was "well-contained."
"The doctors believe intervention is advisable, so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to have it removed," Pope Leo said.
Since the pope's announcement, prayers and messages of support have poured in from around the globe from prime ministers, presidents, religious leaders and Catholic bishops.
This was the second hospitalization in the 71-year-old pope's life, according to a recently published biography. Shortly after his election, Pope Leo said that he had only been hospitalized once in his life before becoming pope when he caught typhoid fever after recently arriving as an Augustinian missionary in Peru in 1985.
"It's the only time in my life I've been hospitalized," Pope Leo is quoted as saying in the book, "Pope Leo XIV" by Elise Ann Allen, calling it "a very significant" moment in his life that helped him more sharply focus on his new ministry.
Pope Leo's surgery occurred less than one month before he was scheduled to depart for South America for what would be the longest international trip of his pontificate Nov. 6 to 17, with stops in Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. The Vatican has not yet announced any changes to the trip.
— Courtney Mares, OSV News
US bishops, lawmakers offer prayers for Pope Leo after cancer diagnosis
A man prays in front of a statue of the St. John Paul II outside Gemelli Hospital in Rome Oct. 13, 2026, where Pope Leo XIV had surgery that afternoon to remove a lung nodule. The Vatican confirmed that evening that Pope Leo has lung cancer. (OSV News photo/Matteo Minnella, Reuters)WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following the Holy See's Oct. 13 announcement that Pope Leo XIV was diagnosed with lung cancer and had the lower lobe of his right lung removed, Church and civic leaders expressed their hope and prayers for his full recovery.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops urged the faithful to pray for Pope Leo in a post on X.
"Doctors at Gemelli Hospital removed a cancerous tumor from Pope Leo XIV's right lung, according to the Holy See Press Office," the post said. "The surgery was successful, with no complications, and the Holy Father has returned to his hospital room. We ask the faithful to continue praying for Pope Leo's recovery and for the doctors and staff caring for him. We also hold in prayer all who are living with cancer, their families, and those who care for them."
Individual bishops and dioceses in the U.S. also urged prayer.
Here in Charlotte, Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv., echoed the thoughts of Catholics across the diocese.
“The Diocese of Charlotte offers its prayers and support for Pope Leo,” Bishop Martin said. “We are grateful for the excellent medical care the Holy Father is receiving, and we join Catholics of the diocese and all people of goodwill to support him in this time. We are looking forward to his speedy recovery.”
"Bless Pope Leo XIV with strength and peace as he faces this illness and unite him ever more closely with your Son," said the Archdiocese of New York in an X post asking for prayers for the restoration of the pope's health.
In a separate post, Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks of New York thanked God that the pope's surgery was "by all accounts, successful" and added that he joined faithful from the archdiocese, country and the world "in keeping the Holy Father in our prayer."
"Friends, please join me in praying for healing for our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, who has been diagnosed with lung cancer," Bishop Robert E. Barron of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, wrote on X.
Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski of St. Louis asked "all people of good will to join us in prayer for Pope Leo XIV and those who are caring for him."
Bishop Mark A. Eckman of Pittsburgh said in a statement he joins Catholics in that diocese "and around the world in lifting up our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, in prayer following the news of his surgery and lung cancer diagnosis."
"We are grateful to hear that the surgery was successful, and we pray that the Holy Father will experience a full and peaceful recovery," Bishop Eckman said. "Pope Leo has reminded us of the importance of faith, hope, and caring for one another. Now, as he faces this personal health challenge, we have an opportunity to surround him with the same love and prayerful
support that he so generously offers to the Church and the world."
Some U.S. officials and lawmakers also weighed in, including Rep. Jonathan L. Jackson, D-Ill., who represents a Chicago-area district.
"Pope Leo XIV is one of our own, a Chicago kid who carried the values of our neighborhoods all the way onto the world stage, and today our whole city is wishing him strength and a full recovery," Jackson said in a post on X. "Let his diagnosis also be a reminder to talk with your doctor about lung cancer screening, because catching it early saves lives. Chicago is with you."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote in a post on X, "Jeanette and I are united in prayer for (Pope Leo)'s health following his recent diagnosis."
"May the Lord give him strength and the Holy Spirit guide the medical professionals taking care of the Holy Father," Rubio said.
Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.Va., who is Catholic, wrote in a post on X, "Saint Teresa of Avila reminds us that 'those who were nearest to Christ our Lord were those who had the greatest trials.'"
"This is no doubt true of (Pope Leo)," he said. "Please join Mina and me in praying for the Holy Father as he begins this battle to defeat cancer."
The 71-year-old pope disclosed during his Oct. 11 Angelus address that doctors had found a "localized nodule" in his lung. He said the nodule was "detected at a very early stage" during "some recent medical examinations."
"The doctors believe intervention is advisable, so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to have it removed," Pope Leo said.
The pope arrived at Rome's Gemelli Hospital at about 1 p.m. Rome time on Oct. 13, and underwent the surgery in the late afternoon.
"The surgery was successful, completed on schedule and as planned, and the Holy Father has returned to his room," the Holy See Press Office said in a statement issued shortly before 8 p.m.
Just before 10 p.m., a joint statement by Dr. Stefano Margaritora, chief thoracic surgeon at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, and Dr. Luigi Carbone revealed that the "examination confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, as suspected by the preoperative tests."
— OSV News, OSV News