Vatican Pope Surgery
Pope Leo XIV, followed by, from left, surgeon Stefano Margaritora, Archbishop Petar Rajič, prefect of the Papal Household, and Commander of the Vatican Gendarmerie Gianluca Gauzzi Broccoletti, leaves Rome's Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, after Tuesday's surgery to remove lung cancer.
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Pope Leo has left Rome’s Gemelli hospital after undergoing surgery for lung cancer. On Saturday, he greeted well-wishers and patients as he departed. “I am better, thank you,” the pope said when asked how he was as he was driven away in a black SUV. The 71-year-old pontiff had the lower lobe of his right lung removed on Tuesday. Doctors confirmed he had adenocarcinoma, a common type of lung cancer. Since the surgery, he has shown strong signs of recovery, including holding a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and celebrating Mass. The Vatican released images of him standing at an altar in a hospital chapel. Leo plans to greet the faithful with the Angelus blessing on Sunday.
