Pope Leo XIV back at the Vatican after Gemelli stay

Pope Leo XIV returned to the Vatican today after his discharge from Rome's Agostino Gemelli Hospital, where he had been since his surgery on Tuesday 13 October. Update for Saturday 17 October.

The Pope is back at the Vatican. "In view of the blood tests and chest X-ray carried out this morning, and after assessing the clinical picture, the Holy Father has been judged fit for discharge," say Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora (statement). According to the Holy See Press Office, the Pope will leave the hospital in the early afternoon and return to the Vatican; tomorrow he will pray the Angelus at noon (Rome time) from the window of the papal apartment. At noon today, as yesterday, the Pope is celebrating Mass in the room specially set up on the tenth floor of the Gemelli (Vatican News). In the early afternoon, according to Elisabetta Piqué, La Nación's Vatican correspondent, who is at the hospital, the Pope is about to leave the Gemelli and head back to the Vatican. At around 15:30, according to Rai News 24's live footage, the Pope left the Gemelli, greeting doctors, staff and the crowd; he is expected shortly at the Vatican. Shortly afterwards the Pope arrived back at the Vatican; before getting into the car he had greeted the people waiting for him. This confirms this morning's report by la Repubblica. Full details in our dedicated article.

The facts. According to the 13 October bulletin, the lower lobe of the Pope's right lung was removed using a video-assisted technique; the intraoperative histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a pulmonary adenocarcinoma. The operation "was successful and there were no complications". On 15 October the doctors reported a "good recovery of the operated lung".

Friday. On Friday at noon the Pope celebrated Mass in the room set up on the tenth floor: for the first time since his admission he presided, distributed Communion and thanked doctors, nurses and staff. In the early afternoon Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora issued a new statement: blood tests and a chest X-ray "confirmed the steady improvement in his general condition"; the Pope carries out normal daily activities "with complete autonomy". In the afternoon, as the Press Office confirmed, Luis Antonio Tagle and Baldassare Reina visited him separately. Audiences remain suspended until Tuesday 20 October.

The Angelus. On Friday Matteo Bruni, director of the Press Office, had confirmed that the Pope would recite the Angelus on Sunday. On Saturday the Press Office said he will pray it at noon (Rome time) from the window of the papal apartment.

Parolin's words. On Friday Pietro Parolin spoke of a "successful operation" and "positive signs". Asked about a precautionary resignation letter, he replied: "No, no. Not that." Trips "will depend on how he comes out of hospital" and on the doctors' advice (SIR).

The November trip. The Press Office published the list of journalists admitted on the papal flight for the trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, from 6 to 17 November. No official decision on the trip has been announced.

The call with Putin. On Friday, from the Gemelli, the Pope spoke by phone with Vladimir Putin, calling for a truce in Oleshky, in the Kherson region, to allow aid in and the evacuation of civilians.

Awaiting the histology. According to Il Messaggero (press reporting, not official), results of the final examination of the tissue, lymph nodes and molecular profile are awaited: a first part could arrive between the weekend and early next week, with full results in at least ten days.

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