Pope Leo XIV discharged from Rome hospital after lung surgery

ROME, ITALY - OCT. 17: Pope Leo XIV was discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Saturday, Oct. 17, after undergoing surgery on his right lung.

The pontiff left the hospital following five days of hospitalization and was expected to return to the Vatican.

Doctors said blood tests and a chest X-ray conducted Saturday morning confirmed that his condition allowed him to leave the hospital.

The Vatican said the 90-minute operation on Oct. 13 was successful. Surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung, with tissue analysis confirming lung adenocarcinoma.

The pope is expected to lead the Angelus prayer from the window of the papal apartment on Sunday, while his scheduled engagements through Oct. 20 have been canceled to allow for recovery.