Pope Leo XIV to lead Sunday Angelus after hospital discharge

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Pope Leo XIV is expected to lead the Angelus from the Apostolic Palace at noon on Sunday after being discharged from hospital following lung surgery. Capital FM reported on October 18 that the Pope left Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Hospital on Saturday afternoon, with doctors approving his continued recovery at the Vatican.

According to the report, which cited the Holy See Press Office, the discharge followed a review of blood tests and a chest X-ray taken on Saturday morning. Dr Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora determined that the results supported his release from hospital. Margaritora had carried out the operation on Tuesday.

Before departing, Leo celebrated Mass in a worship room on the hospital’s 10th floor. He also expressed his gratitude to the surgeon and the medical and nursing teams involved in his care. His farewell greetings included other healthcare staff, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart Rector Professor Elena Beccalli and the hospital’s leadership, Capital FM reported.

The scheduled Angelus would mark a return to public duties while the Pope continues recuperating outside hospital. However, the Vatican update cited by Capital FM did not set out a detailed recovery plan or confirm whether the rest of his programme would immediately resume as normal. The Sunday appearance was presented as his first scheduled public engagement following his return to the Vatican.