Pope Leo XIV Discharged From Gemelli Hospital
- Pope Leo XIV announced his imminent hospital admission on Oct.
- Pope Leo XIV arrived at Gemelli University Hospital in northwestern Rome on Oct.
- 13, 2026, Holy See authorities announced that post-surgical pathology revealed a pulmonary adenocarcinoma in the resected lower right lobe of the pope's lung.
Pope Leo XIV announced his imminent hospital admission on Oct. 11, 2026, during his regular Sunday Angelus prayer from the windows of his apostolic apartments, revealing that a pulmonary nodule had been detected. Paris Match reported that the pontiff chose a direct, American-style approach to his medical disclosure rather than relying on traditional Vatican circumspection. The announcement broke decades of papal precedent for public health disclosures, matching only John Paul II’s 1992 Angelus announcement of an upcoming hospitalization while omitting specific diagnoses. Le Monde noted that the 71-year-old pontiff, elected in May 2025, had maintained an active routine that included playing tennis weekly prior to the diagnosis.
The Hospitalization at Gemelli University Hospital
Pope Leo XIV arrived at Gemelli University Hospital in northwestern Rome on Oct. 13, 2026. Paris Match reported that a surgical team led by Prof. Stefano Margaritora, director of thoracic surgery, performed a procedure lasting an hour and a half using video-assisted techniques to protect the rib cage. Dr. Luigi Carbone, who serves as the Vatican health director, oversaw the medical team alongside Prof. Massimo Antonelli, head of the anesthesia department.
Pope Leo XIV was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital and returned to the papal apartments in Vatican City State on Saturday afternoon.The announcement that Pope Leo would be released from hospital was made on Saturday morning.A separate statement from the Holy See Press… pic.twitter.com/tmZOWtPmr5
Adenocarcinoma Diagnosis Shocks the Vatican
Late in the evening on Oct. 13, 2026, Holy See authorities announced that post-surgical pathology revealed a pulmonary adenocarcinoma in the resected lower right lobe of the pope’s lung. Paris Match reported that the cancer diagnosis sent shockwaves through the 1,400-employee Vatican apparatus, with Secretary of State Pietro Parolin admitting deep concern. American media coverage subsequently highlighted family medical history noting that both of the pope’s parents died of cancer and his brother Louis underwent treatment for myeloma, a blood cancer.
Discharge and Recovery Ahead of South American Tour
Medical authorities discharged Pope Leo XIV from Gemelli Hospital on Oct. 17, 2026, after a recovery period during which he resumed working and celebrated Mass independently. Paris Match reported that treating physicians estimated a ten-day recovery period would allow the pontiff to prepare for an upcoming South American tour scheduled to begin on Nov. 6, 2026, with a planned stop in Peru. On Oct. 18, 2026, exactly one week after his initial public announcement, the pope returned to his apartment window for the Sunday Angelus to address thousands of gathered faithful in Saint Peter’s Square.