Pope to deliver first public address on Sunday
Oct 17, 2026
Pope Leo leaves Rome's Gemelli Hospital four days after
his surgery to remove a cancerous
nodule from his right lung.
The Vatican says doctors have cleared the 71-year-old chief
pontiff to be discharged from the hospital,
this following the medical tests and an assessment of
his condition. In two photographs released by the Vatican on Saturday,
Pope Leo can be seen
standing and wearing the green vestments,
members of the hospital's medical and nursing staff
responsible for the Pope's welfare,
were also present at the Pope's Mass.
In a medical bulletin, the Vatican also confirmed
that the pontiff's clinical condition continues to improve.
The Pope is expected to deliver
his first public address since the surgery
during the traditional Sunday noon blessing from the Vatican.
Doctors are awaiting further test results
to determine whether the cancer has spread
and if additional treatment is required.
Meanwhile, preparations continue
for his scheduled Latin America tour from November 6 to 17.
Pope Francis will be discharged
from the Gemelli Hospital early this afternoon.
According to a note released from the Vatican,
his doctors found him fit for discharge
after considering his clinical condition
and the good results of his blood tests
and the chest X-ray they performed this morning.
Pope Francis was admitted to the hospital last Tuesday
when he had an operation to remove the lower lobe of his right lung.
After the surgery, doctors confirmed the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma,
one of the most common types of lung cancer
and one with the best prognosis as well.
Pope Francis will return to the Vatican back in time
to deliver the traditional noontime Angelus prayer on Sunday
from his studio window overlooking St. Peter's Square.
The very same place where, less than a week ago,
he had announced he would need surgery to remove a nodule in his lung.