Pope Leo ‘deemed fit for discharge’ from hospital, doctors say

Flowers, candles and a picture of Pope Leo XIV are laid at the statue of John Paul II outside the Gemelli University Hospital, where Pope Leo XIV is recovering after undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his right lung, in Rome October 17, 2026. — AFP pic

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Summary

• Pope Leo XIV has been declared "fit for discharge" from the hospital by his doctors following successful lung cancer surgery, as reported by the Vatican.
• Doctors Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora made this decision after reviewing blood tests, a chest X-ray, and the overall clinical assessment of the Pope's health.

First Published: Saturday, 17 Oct 2026 5:47 PM MYT

ROME, Oct 17 — Pope Leo XIV’s doctors yesterday deemed him “fit for discharge” from hospital following his lung cancer surgery, according to the Vatican.

“Considering the blood tests, the chest X-ray done this morning, and evaluating the clinical picture, the Holy Father has been deemed fit for discharge,” wrote doctors Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora in a note published by the Vatican. — AFP