Pope Leo XIV left the hospital and went back to the Vatican on Saturday, days after undergoing surgery on his lungs, according to AP News. As he departed, the pope told those present, "I am much better, thank you," the New York Times reported.
His surgeon said the pope should be well enough for an upcoming tour of Latin America. Vatican News reported that the surgeon saw no clinical reason to call off the visit to South America. AP News also reported the surgeon's assessment that the pope should be fit for the trip.
Before his discharge, the first photographs of the pope since the operation were released. The National Catholic Reporter said the images showed him celebrating Mass at the hospital.
In a separate development, OSV News reported that the pope's brother spoke about his own experience with cancer, the place of faith in that struggle, and one request he made.
The Vatican has not, in the material available, announced a date for the Latin America tour or further details of the pope's recovery schedule. Watch for official confirmation of the trip's timing and any medical updates from the Vatican.
