Pope Leo XIV should be released from hospital this Saturday, says Vatican

Pope Leo XIV is expected to be discharged from hospital this Saturday (17) after surgery for lung cancer. Blood tests and images indicated that the pontiff is fit.

On Sunday (18), the pope will lead prayers from his apartment in the Vatican. It will be his first public appearance since being admitted to hospital.

The surgery took place on Tuesday (13) in Rome to treat lung adenocarcinoma. Doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung without complications.

Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer. Doctors have not yet disclosed the size of the tumor or whether it has reached the lymph nodes.

The Vatican maintains the pope's scheduled trip to South America in November. He plans to visit Peru, Argentina and Uruguay.

Pope Leo XIV is expected to leave the hospital this Saturday afternoon (17), after undergoing surgery to treat lung cancer, the Vatican said.

Blood tests and chest images carried out this morning indicated that the pontiff is ready to be discharged.

On Sunday (18), he will lead prayers from his Vatican apartment for pilgrims in St. Peter's Square, in his first public appearance since being hospitalized.

Doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung. According to previously released information, the operation was completed without complications.

Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer. So far, doctors have not disclosed the size of the tumor or reported whether the disease has reached nearby lymph nodes, important factors in determining the prognosis.

In a statement released this Saturday, the director of the Vatican's Directorate of Health and Hygiene, Luigi Carbone, and the head of the thoracic surgery team responsible for the operation, Stefano Margaritora, stated that the results of the tests and clinical evaluation allowed the hospital to be discharged.

With the general situation "good", Pope Leo XIV is expected to travel to South America in November.

This Friday, the Vatican said it is maintaining, for now, plans for Leo XIV's trip — the pontiff plans to visit Peru, Argentina and Uruguay between early and mid-November.

The Holy See also announced that the pope will appear to the public on Sunday for the first time since he was hospitalized. According to the Vatican, he will lead a prayer on the occasion.