Pope Leo discharged from hospital Saturday, to appear at apartment window Sunday, Vatican says
Discharge planned Saturday
The pope had initially been expected to stay at the Rome hospital until Oct. 20. The Vatican announced his discharge on Saturday.
Recovery shows progress
Leo resumed some work activity on Thursday. Doctors reported Friday that medical tests showed his recovery was steadily improving. The Vatican also shared photographs on Friday showing the American-born pope celebrating Mass in a small hospital chapel. He was pictured at an altar wearing green vestments.
Sunday prayer and travel
On Sunday, Leo is set to recite the Angelus prayer from a window of the papal apartment. The Vatican included the plan in its announcement about his return.
The pope is scheduled to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru next month, but his health had raised questions about whether he could travel. On Friday, the Vatican released the names of journalists accredited to fly aboard the papal plane, suggesting the journey was still expected to proceed.
Key points
- Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to leave Gemelli Hospital on Saturday, four days after lung surgery.
- He is due to return to the Vatican and recite the Angelus from his apartment window on Sunday.
- Doctors said Friday that tests showed steady improvement in his recovery.
- The Vatican published the names of journalists accredited for Leo’s planned South American trip next month.