The pope Leo XIV has received medical discharge this Saturday and has left the Agostino Gemelli hospital in Rome, where he had been admitted since Tuesday after undergoing surgery to remove a malignant tumor in his right lung. The Pontiff left the healthcare center on his own feet, looking well and three days earlier than initially planned.
Upon his departure, around 3:30 PM, Leo XIV greeted the faithful gathered near the hospital, shook hands with some of them, and exchanged a few words before getting into the official vehicle that took him back to the Vatican.
The Holy See had announced in the morning that the doctors had authorized the discharge after confirming the favorable evolution of the Pontiff. The decision was made after conducting blood tests, a chest X-ray, and an evaluation of his clinical status, the results of which allowed them to conclude that he was in a condition to continue recovery outside the hospital.
The return occurs sooner than expected, as the Vatican had initially planned a hospitalization of at least seven days and had suspended the Pope's official commitments until next Tuesday, October 20. According to the Holy See, Leo XIV is scheduled to pray the Angelus this Sunday from the window of the papal apartments.
Pending the results that will determine his treatment
Despite the favorable evolution, the health status of the Pontiff remains pending the histological analyses following the operation, which will determine whether the tumor removal has been sufficient or if additional treatments will be necessary.
Leo XIV was operated on last Tuesday after doctors detected a nodule in his right lung. During the operation, it was confirmed that it was an adenocarcinoma, a malignant tumor that was removed along with a lung lobe.
The definitive results are expected between October 23 and 27. These tests will be decisive in understanding the extent of the disease and determining whether the Pope will need to undergo complementary treatments, including chemotherapy.
The trip to Latin America, pending his recovery
The medical evolution will also condition the Pontiff's international agenda, especially the planned trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru between November 6 and 17, which has not been canceled for the moment.
The visit includes a particularly demanding program, with 14 air transfers, two of them by helicopter, and 36 speeches. Among the planned stages is Cuzco, located at about 3,300 meters above sea level, a circumstance that could complicate respiratory recovery after the intervention.
The operation was scheduled with the intention of facilitating a recovery period of approximately three weeks before the start of the tour. However, the final decision about the trip will depend on the clinical evolution and the recommendations of the specialists.
During his hospitalization, the Vatican has released images of the Pope celebrating Mass and has reported that he had resumed some work matters. This Friday, in addition, León XIV had a phone conversation with Russian President, Vladimir Putin, in a context marked by the intensification of Russian attacks against Ukraine.
The hospital discharge represents a step forward in his recovery, although the upcoming medical tests will be decisive in determining when he will be able to fully resume his activities and what consequences the illness will have on the development of his papacy.