Pope Leo XIV Returns to St. Peter’s Square Window After Lung Surgery
Just one day after walking out of Rome’s Agostino Gemelli hospital, Pope Leo XIV appeared at the Apostolic Palace window in St. Peter’s Square to deliver the traditional Angelus prayer. The pontiff expressed profound gratitude to the faithful who offered prayers during his recovery, while singling out the medical personnel who treated him. The experience, he noted, granted him a deep sense of closeness to those suffering from illness and infirmity.
Inside the Agostino Gemelli Hospital Procedure
Surgeons discharged the Pope following a procedure to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. Doctors discovered the tumor during a routine abdominal checkup, prompting the operation. Dr. Stefano Margaritora, the surgeon who led the procedure, later described the pontiff as an ideal patient. Official medical bulletins confirmed that encouraging blood tests and chest X-rays cleared the Pope for discharge earlier than initially projected.
Personal Encounters Outside the Hospital Gates
Upon leaving the facility, Pope Leo XIV walked out of the main entrance smiling and greeted well-wishers in English, stating plainly that he felt much better. Before departing, he stopped to speak with a patient using a wheelchair and an IV drip, shook hands with attending medical staff, and spent time blessing a 13-year-old Ukrainian patient named Varvara who is receiving cancer treatment in Italy. He then returned to the Apostolic Palace to continue his convalescence alongside his two secretaries and four assisting sisters.
Convalescence and the Uncertain Papal Itinerary
Medical staff have indicated a period of convalescence of about ten days. The Pope’s immediate schedule includes a tentative general audience on Wednesday, Oct. 21, pending official confirmation from the Prefecture of the Papal Household. Meanwhile, a planned trip to Assisi on Oct. 27 remains uncertain due to recovery timelines, and an upcoming international tour to South America covering Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru depends on the pontiff’s decision.