WORLD · VERIFIED DEVELOPMENT
Pope Leo Returns to Vatican After Lung Cancer Surgery
WHY IT MATTERS
Pope Leo's health and the future of his papacy are under scrutiny as he deals with lung cancer, a diagnosis that has raised questions about his ability to continue leading the Catholic Church.
What happened
Pope Leo, 71, left Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Saturday afternoon, four days after undergoing surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung due to lung adenocarcinoma.
He walked unaided to his waiting car and will hold his first public engagement since surgery on Sunday, leading weekly prayers with pilgrims in St Peter's Square.
Doctors have said the surgery was completed successfully without complications, but have not disclosed the size of the tumour or whether the disease had spread to nearby lymph nodes.
PRIMARY SOURCES
Pope Leo leaves hospital four days after lung cancer surgery
Cyprus Mail · Discovery only; publisher copyright terms apply
CORRECTIONS & UPDATES
- Revision 1 · Initial ingestion · Oct 17, 2026, 5:45 PM
- Revision 2 · Source update detected · Oct 17, 2026, 5:45 PM