Pope Leo XIV leaves Gemelli after lung surgery. PHOTO

Pope Leo XIV left the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome today, Saturday 17 October, four days after surgery on his right lung. Dozens of journalists, photographers and television crews from all over the world gathered in front of the hospital to follow the Pope's exit from the facility.

Greeted by the crowd, he left on foot, accompanied by doctors, greeting the faithful and stopping with some of them before getting into the car.

A crowd of faithful, inside and outside the hospital, waited to show their closeness and affection to the Pontiff. Leone stopped to greet some sick people.

His passage was greeted by long applause in an atmosphere of emotion and participation.

The Pontiff left the hospital on foot, with a relaxed and smiling face.

Leaving Gemelli, the Pope greeted a young oncology patient from Ukraine accompanied by her family. The young woman and the Pope exchanged words of greeting and closeness having shared a similar journey. The Pope then encouraged her and gave her his blessing.

The escort with its cars left the hospital complex in the direction of the Vatican.

The discharge was decided after a regular post-operative course. “In consideration of the blood tests, the radiological check of the chest performed this morning and the evaluation of the clinical picture, the Holy Father was judged fit for discharge", we read in the medical bulletin released by the Vatican and signed by Doctor Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora.

The Pope entered the Roman hospital last Tuesday after 1pm. On the same day he underwent a ninety-minute operation (three hours in the operating room) to remove a lung adenocarcinoma, a malignant tumor. The results of the histological tests are now awaited.

The Pontiff will return to recite the Angelus tomorrow, Sunday 18 October, from the Apostolic Palace. This was communicated by the Vatican Press Office.