Pope Leo walks unaided out of Rome hospital just four days after surgery to remove his lung cancer

Pope Leo XIV, 71, left Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Saturday, well ahead of the roughly week-long stay the Vatican had originally expected. Surgeon Stefano Margaritora says there are 'no clinical reasons' to stop his 6-17 November trip to Uruguay, Peru and Argentina. 'I am much better, thank you,' the pontiff said from his car. He is expected to lead the Angelus prayer from the papal apartment window today.

Tuesday's 90-minute operation, which removed his right lung's lower lobe, confirmed adenocarcinoma.

Test results indicating whether the cancer has metastasised have yet to be released.

A Ukrainian girl, 13, handed him the homemade papal doll that saw her through cancer.