World · 06:00 · 2026-10-18
Pope Leo returns to Vatican after cancer surgery
Photo: Unsplash / Source: Unsplash
Pope Leo returned to the Vatican on Saturday, four days after lung-cancer surgery at Rome Gemelli Hospital, walking unaided to his car and waving to well-wishers in his first public appearance since the operation. He spoke with Varvara, a 13-year-old Ukrainian girl in Italy for cancer treatment.
The Vatican presented discharge as recovery progressing, and he was reported to have celebrated Mass on Sunday, a first step back toward a normal schedule in his 17-month papacy.