Pope Leo leaves hospital after lung cancer surgery, set for Sunday prayers

Summary

Pope Leo XIV left hospital on Saturday, four days after lung cancer surgery, and is expected to lead prayers from his Vatican apartment for pilgrims in St Peter’s Square on Sunday, The Straits Times reports. Earlier Vatican-released photos showed him celebrating Mass at Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Friday; France 24 says doctors described his recovery as progressing normally and said further tests would show whether the cancer had spread. The Vatican said he was showing steady improvement, while CBS News reports he began resuming his duties on Friday; RTÉ reports he held a phone call with Putin during his recovery. The Straits Times also said preparations continued normally for his planned November trip to three South American countries. This follows reports that he had resumed working from hospital after surgery to remove a cancerous lung nodule.

Timeline

1. The Globe and Mail

   16 Oct 2026, 11:13 UTCSource ↗

   The Globe and Mail reports that the Vatican released photos of Leo celebrating Mass in hospital and that he was expected to make his first public appearance on Sunday to deliver the traditional noontime prayer.

2. The Straits Times

   16 Oct 2026, 12:40 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports that the first images of Leo since his surgery were released, that he was expected to appear on Sunday, and that preparations continued normally for his planned November trip to three South American countries.

3. RTÉ

   16 Oct 2026, 12:53 UTCSource ↗

   RTÉ reports that Leo held a phone call with Putin during his hospital recovery and that the Vatican said he was showing steady improvement after lung cancer surgery.

4. France 24

   16 Oct 2026, 12:57 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that Vatican photos showed Leo celebrating Mass at Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Friday after surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his right lung, and that doctors said his recovery was progressing normally while further tests would show whether the cancer had spread.

5. CBS News

   16 Oct 2026, 23:58 UTCSource ↗

   CBS News reports that Leo began resuming his duties on Friday after lung cancer surgery in Rome earlier that week.

6. The Straits Times

   17 Oct 2026, 09:55 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports that Pope Leo left hospital four days after lung cancer surgery and will lead prayers from his Vatican apartment for pilgrims in St Peter’s Square on Oct. 18.