Pope set to leave the Gemelli? Unconfirmed reports on the Angelus and the trip

Pope Leo XIV may leave the Gemelli hospital today, according to la Repubblica, but there is no official confirmation. Here is what is certain and what, for now, remains unconfirmed.

Confirmed. In the latest statement, on Friday 16 October, Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora reported that blood tests and a chest X-ray "confirmed the steady improvement in his general condition"; respiratory physiotherapy continues and his post-operative recovery allows him to carry out normal daily activities "with complete autonomy" (statement). Matteo Bruni, director of the Press Office, said that on Sunday "the Angelus will take place," without saying where or in what form. On the length of the hospital stay, about a week from admission, "the doctors have not changed that timetable": "for now we have no communications of changes" (our translation; ANSA). Audiences remain cancelled until Tuesday 20 October.

Unconfirmed reports. UNCONFIRMED. According to la Repubblica, doctors are expected to give the green light today for the Pope's return to the Vatican, with the possibility that he will recite tomorrow's Angelus in St. Peter's Square (la Repubblica). Leggo also says that if he is discharged today the Pope would speak from St. Peter's Square (Leggo). Il Messaggero reports that the possibility of a discharge as early as today was circulating yesterday "in Vatican circles," but "unconfirmed" (Il Messaggero). Taking a different view, QN writes that the Angelus will "very probably" be from the Gemelli, since the hospital stay remains seven days for now (QN).

The 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. That is not a confirmation: Bruni himself said, "We have heard the Pope's words, his intention and his wish to go. Then we will see" (Rai News; Il Sole 24 Ore). Pietro Parolin said trips "will depend on how he comes out of hospital and on what the doctors prescribe," calling rumours of a months-long flying ban "just talk for the moment" (SIR). UNCONFIRMED: according to the Peruvian daily Perú21, cited by Il Tempo, the Holy See is said to be weighing several options, from a reduced programme, possibly dropping the most demanding stops such as Cusco, to a postponement to March–May 2027; government sources cited by the same paper say, however, that no change has been communicated (Il Tempo).

The recovery. Beyond the clinical signs, the Pope has resumed activity: on Friday he presided at Mass on the tenth floor of the Gemelli and, according to the Press Office, he is "in good spirits" and "continued his work" (ANSA). The results of the histological tests, important for defining the characteristics of the tumour and any next steps, are still awaited, Il Messaggero reports.

What to expect. Any return to the Vatican will be announced by the Press Office or the doctors. The location of tomorrow's Angelus also depends on that decision: St. Peter's Square, as la Repubblica suggests, or the Gemelli. On the November trip, the doctors will have the final word.

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