Pope Leo to leave hospital on Saturday after lung cancer surgery

Pope Leo is expected ​to leave the hospital on Saturday afternoon following surgery ‌for lung cancer, the Vatican said, after blood tests and chest imaging found him fit to return ​home.

He will lead prayers from ​his apartment at the Vatican to pilgrims ⁠in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, ​his first public engagement since he went into ​hospital.

The 71-year-old has been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer, and doctors ​removed the lower lobe of his right ​lung in an operation at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on ‌Tuesday.

The ⁠pope’s doctors have said his surgery was completed successfully, without complications.

They have not yet disclosed the size of the tumour ​or whether ​the disease ⁠had spread to nearby lymph nodes, key factors in determining ​prognosis.

The cancer diagnosis for a pope ​known ⁠to be relatively young and energetic, and who was elected only in May 2025, caused ⁠shock ​and raised questions about the ​future shape of his papacy as he deals with ​the illness.