Pope Leo has been discharged from a hospital in Rome after undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his lung.
The 71-year-old pontiff was released from Gemelli Hospital on Saturday after doctors confirmed that he was fit to leave. He walked out of the hospital without assistance, drawing cheers from well-wishers.
Leo had been admitted on Tuesday for an operation in which doctors removed part of his right lung to extract the tumour. Medical professionals Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora confirmed his discharge in a statement released by the Vatican.
Doctors had earlier reported that his recovery was progressing normally. However, test results are still awaited to determine whether the cancer has spread and whether further treatment will be necessary.
The pontiff was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer.
Before leaving the hospital, Leo celebrated Mass in his room on the tenth floor of the medical facility.
Leo became the first US-born leader of the Roman Catholic Church in May last year.
