VATICAN CITY. – Pope Leo XIV was discharged from Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Saturday, four days after surgeons removed a cancerous tumour from his right lung. The 70-year-old pontiff, who turned 70 in September, made his first public appearance since the operation on Sunday when he led the Angelus prayer from the window of the Apostolic Palace. Vatican News reports he thanked the medical team and said he would gradually resume his duties.
Associated Press reports the lower lobe of the pope's right lung was removed. Tissue tests confirmed he has lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer. The Vatican previously confirmed his recovery from the operation has progressed well. However, it remains unclear whether the cancer has spread to lymph nodes and whether further treatment, such as chemotherapy, will be necessary.
He was deemed fit to leave hospital after his clinical condition improved. Although he has already resumed his regular Sunday prayer, he will not immediately return to his full work schedule.
The Vatican has not yet confirmed that his planned trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, scheduled for 6 to 17 November, will proceed without changes.
The pontiff has received messages of support from around the world. There is currently no confirmed announcement that he intends to step down from his office.
Sources: Vatican News, Associated Press, PBS NewsHour
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
