Pope Leo XIV cleared to leave Rome clinic after lung cancer operation

Pope Leo XIV is set to be discharged from a Rome medical center on Saturday following surgery to treat lung cancer, according to an announcement from the Vatican.

The 71-year-old pontiff had been admitted to the Gemelli Polyclinic, located north of Vatican City, on Tuesday. During his stay, medical specialists operated to excise a section of his right lung in order to remove a malignant growth.

His medical team approved his departure after reviewing his post-operative recovery. In a statement released through the Vatican, attending doctors Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora noted that recent blood analyses and a morning chest X-ray supported their clinical assessment that the Holy Father was ready to leave the facility.

Vatican authorities confirmed that Pope Leo would depart the hospital during the early afternoon and travel back to his residence. Following his return, the pontiff is scheduled to lead the traditional Angelus prayer on Sunday from the window overlooking St. Peter's Square at the papal apartment.

The weekly Angelus address is customarily delivered from the Apostolic Palace window, though previous pontiffs receiving care at the Gemelli facility, including Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis, occasionally recited the prayer directly from their hospital quarters during past medical treatments.