Pope Leo to leave hospital on Saturday, four days after lung cancer surgery
Pope Leo XIV returned to the Vatican on Saturday afternoon, leaving Rome's Gemelli Hospital just four days after undergoing lung cancer surgery. The 71-year-old pope walked unaided to his waiting car, waving to well-wishers and pausing to speak with a 13-year-old cancer patient from Ukraine named Varvara. Doctors deemed him fit to return to the Vatican early following the operation, marking a swift recovery from the first major health scare of his 17-month papacy. The discharge brought a visible end to his hospital stay, though questions persist regarding how the diagnosis will impact his future duties.
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- ✓ Pope Leo XIV left Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Saturday afternoon and returned to the Vatican four days after lung cancer surgery.
- ✓ The 71-year-old pope walked unaided to his waiting car and waved to well-wishers.
- ✓ Pope Leo XIV stopped to speak with a 13-year-old girl named Varvara from Ukraine who has been in Italy for cancer treatment.
- ✓ Doctors deemed the pontiff fit to return to the Vatican early following the operation.
What changed
Pope Leo XIV was discharged from Gemelli Hospital on Saturday and returned to the Vatican.
Live updates
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Pope Leo XIV Leaves Hospital Following Lung Cancer Surgery
Pope Leo XIV returned to the Vatican on Saturday afternoon, leaving Rome's Gemelli Hospital just four days after undergoing lung cancer surgery. The 71-year-old pope walked unaided to his waiting car, waving to well-wishers and pausing to speak with a 13-year-old cancer patient from Ukraine named Varvara. Doctors deemed him fit to return to the Vatican early following the operation, marking a swift recovery from the first major health scare of his 17-month papacy. The discharge brought a visible end to his hospital stay, though questions persist regarding how the diagnosis will impact his future duties.
Why it matters
The sudden cancer diagnosis and subsequent surgery have sparked intense speculation about the future direction and physical demands of the 17-month papacy. Observers noted that the situation has also ignited familiar debates concerning the Vatican's level of candor regarding the health of pontiffs. Prior to this medical intervention, the pope had not faced a health scare of this magnitude during his time leading the church.
What is confirmed
- Pope Leo XIV left Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Saturday afternoon and returned to the Vatican four days after lung cancer surgery.
- The 71-year-old pope walked unaided to his waiting car and waved to well-wishers.
- Pope Leo XIV stopped to speak with a 13-year-old girl named Varvara from Ukraine who has been in Italy for cancer treatment.
- Doctors deemed the pontiff fit to return to the Vatican early following the operation.
Still unconfirmed
- The illness has prompted speculation about how his 17-month papacy might change.
What to watch next
- Updates from the Vatican regarding the pope's ongoing recovery and official schedule
- Further statements addressing the transparency of the Vatican concerning papal health
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (12)
- www.cnn.com — Breaking News, Latest News and Videos | CNN
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- Vatican News — Pope Leo XIV to be discharged from hospital
- The New York Times — Uncertainty Over Pope’s Health Fuels Familiar Debate Over Vatican’s Candor
- Reuters — Pope Leo to leave hospital on Saturday, four days after lung cancer surgery
- Axios — A welcome recovery milestone for Pope Leo after cancer surgery
- The Guardian — Pope Leo discharged from hospital after cancer operation
- catholicreview.org — Pope Leo XIV discharged from hospital early following lung cancer surgery
- bdnews24.com — Pope Leo to leave hospital on Saturday, four days after lung cancer surgery - Latest News
- www.egyptindependent.com — Pope Leo discharged from hospital after lung cancer surgery
- www.thestar.com.my — Pope Leo to leave hospital on Saturday, four days after lung cancer surgery | The Star
- www.thenews.com.pk — Pope Leo discharged from hospital four days after lung cancer surgery
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