🌙 VATICAN REPORT | Saturday 17 October 2026 evening

🏠 CONFIRMED | Pope Leo XIV is back at the Vatican Discharged from the Gemelli Hospital four days after his lung surgery on 13 October, Pope Leo XIV left the hospital at around 15:30 and returned to the Vatican. The Holy See Press Office confirmed it in statement B0819: on taking his leave the Pope thanked Stefano Margaritora, who performed the operation, together with the medical and nursing team, and greeted the healthcare staff, Catholic University rector Elena Beccalli and the hospital's leadership. Read: https://vaticanreport.com/articolo/pope-leo-xiv-has-returned-to-the-vatican-after-his-discharge-from-the-gemelli?lang=en 💛 The meeting with Varvara Before leaving, the Pope spent a few moments with Varvara, a 13-year-old Ukrainian girl who has recovered from a tumour and whom he had met on 31 December in St Peter's Square (Vatican News). Read: https://vaticanreport.com/flash/50093bab-c7d4-415b-9eeb-245363a32df5?lang=en 🩺 The surgeon: "An ideal patient" Stefano Margaritora told Vatican News that at discharge the Pope was "in entirely satisfactory clinical condition" and "could be fully recovered in another ten days or so." On the trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17: "I would say there are no clinical reasons why this visit should not take place." This is the doctor's assessment, NOT an official confirmation: the Press Office has not yet confirmed the trip. Read: https://vaticanreport.com/articolo/pope-leo-xiv-s-surgeon-no-clinical-reasons-against-the-november-trip-36b9?lang=en ❓ REPORT | Doubts over Peru According to journalist Mariana Rispoli, speaking to Radio Rivadavia, Argentina and Uruguay remain confirmed, while the Peru leg is in doubt because of the altitude. The final decision would rest with the doctors. No confirmation from the Press Office. Read: https://vaticanreport.com/flash/82f8b052-3d56-453e-8721-ebe6c52af579?lang=en ✉️ Messages from Mattarella and the CEI Sergio Mattarella renewed to the Pope, "on behalf of all of Italy", his "warmest wishes for a peaceful convalescence and a swift and full recovery" (our translation; ANSA). The Presidency of the Italian Bishops' Conference wrote that "the Churches in Italy have been close to you with unceasing prayer", wishing him "a peaceful convalescence and a swift and full recovery." Read: https://vaticanreport.com/flash/2d2bdd8b-ba81-482f-a0c1-c1a3ccd93acb?lang=en 🎖️ From the Bulletin Youssef Absi, Patriarch of Antioch of the Greek-Melkites, accepted the resignation of Joseph Gébara and elected Edouard Daher Archbishop of Petra and Philadelphia of the Greek-Melkites, in Jordan. Read: https://vaticanreport.com/articolo/holy-see-press-office-bulletin-17-october-2026-3442?lang=en ✝️ Ibiza: 20 martyrs beatified Juan Torres Torres and 19 companion martyrs, killed in 1936, were beatified in Ibiza in the first such rite ever held in the Balearic Islands. Marcello Semeraro presided on behalf of Pope Leo XIV: "A martyr is not one who seeks death, but one who does not deny Christ" (L'Osservatore Romano). Read: https://vaticanreport.com/flash/c6332867-6a54-4ad0-89ff-38bb468de183?lang=en 📌 Tomorrow • At noon, the Angelus from the Apostolic Palace • Audiences remain suspended until Tuesday 20 October • Official confirmation of the November trip is awaited #LeoXIV #Vatican