Pope Leo XIV has been discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, four days after undergoing surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, and is expected to resume public duties with his traditional Sunday Angelus prayer.
The 71-year-old pontiff walked unassisted to his waiting vehicle on Saturday, October 17, pausing to greet well-wishers before leaving the medical facility.
His discharge comes despite an earlier Vatican announcement that had cleared his official schedule through October 20.
Church officials said he intends to lead the Sunday prayer and bless crowds gathered in St Peter’s Square, signalling a quicker return to public duties than initially anticipated.
During his brief hospital stay, the Pope remained active.
On Friday, the Vatican released images of him celebrating Mass and administering communion to healthcare workers attending to him.
Medical advisers have reported steady physical improvement, with recent blood tests and chest X-rays showing encouraging progress.
However, complete test results establishing whether the malignancy has spread beyond his right lung have not been made public.
According to the BBC, the Pope also held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, their first direct exchange since June 2025, to discuss peace amid the continuing war in Ukraine.
During the call, Leo reportedly pressed for a temporary humanitarian ceasefire in the Russian-occupied city of Oleshkiy to allow civilian evacuations and the delivery of food and medical supplies to residents facing severe hardship.
The pontiff is also keen to maintain his longer-term schedule, including a proposed international trip in early November featuring a visit to Peru, where he previously served as a missionary for many years.
However, it remains unclear whether his recovery will allow him to undertake the extensive travel.
Medical teams have yet to confirm whether he will be fit for the trip or require further treatment.