Metro Manila, Philippines – Following successful lung surgery on Tuesday, Pope Leo XIV was discharged from Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Hospital and has returned to the papal apartments in the Vatican.
According to the Holy See Press Office, the Pope will recite the Angelus at noon on Sunday, Oct. 18, from the Apostolic Palace.
The pontiff’s doctors had stated earlier that blood tests and a chest X-ray on Saturday morning confirmed his clinical condition was stable enough for him to leave the hospital.
In an interview with Vatican News, Professor Stefano Margaritora, the lead surgeon who operated on the pontiff, confirmed that Pope Leo XIV is fit to proceed with his upcoming visit to Latin America, scheduled for Nov. 6–17.
“At the time of his discharge from the hospital, Pope Leo was in entirely satisfactory clinical condition. His blood test results were completely normal, and his heart function was fine,” Margaritora said.
He added that the Pope’s overall condition is good, noting that lung re-expansion following the surgery is progressing according to schedule.
Margaritora pointed out that while any patient typically requires a few weeks to fully recuperate after such a procedure, the Pope’s recovery is on track.
“Since almost a week has already passed, I believe the Pope could be fully recovered in another ten days or so. As for a long trip involving air travel in about three weeks, I would say there are no clinical reasons why it should not take place,” he said.
With reports from Vatican News
