Pope Leo XIV has left hospital following a five-day stay, leading the Angelus on Sunday and thanking everyone for their prayers.
The Holy Father was discharged from Gemelli Hospital on Saturday and returned to the papal apartments in Vatican City after his doctors deemed he was fit to continue his recovery at home.
"Before leaving, the Holy Father thanked Professor Stefano Margaritora, who performed the surgery, together with the medical and nursing team," said the Holy See Press Office.
"He also greeted the healthcare staff, Professor Elena Beccalli, Rector of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, and the leadership of the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital."
Before leaving hospital however, he celebrated a final Mass in the hospital, in a room specially set aside on the 10th floor of the hospital.
On Sunday, following the conclusion of the Angelus at noon, Pope Leo XIV thanked the doctors, nurses, and staff at the Gemelli Hospital, as well as all the people who had prayed for him during his stay.
“I have truly felt your support. Thank you,” he said.
“This experience has allowed me to feel, in a particular way, a closeness to all those who are living through illness or a state of infirmity.”
At the end of his remarks, he indicated he would gradually resume activities over the next week. Last week, the Prefecture of the Papal Household, which coordinates the Pope’s public activities, announced the cancellation of all the Pope’s audiences through Tuesday, 20 October. There has been no change to this timeline.
In an interview with Vatican News, Professor Stefano Margaritora, who operated on Pope Leo XIV, said he still needed another 10 days to fully recovery.
He said from a medical standpoint, he didn’t believe this recovery would affect the Pope’s upcoming visit to South America, scheduled to for November 6 to 17.
