B1AI-generatedOctober 18, 2026·2 min read·286 words·4 vocab words·Source: NPR Arts & Life

Pope Leo XIV Discharged Following Lung Surgery

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Pope Leo XIV Discharged Following Lung Surgery
Photo: "Pope Leo XIV 3 (3x4 cropped)" by Edgar Beltrán, The Pillar is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/. (CC BY-SA 4.0)
In brief

Pope Leo XIV has been discharged from Gemelli Hospital in Rome after undergoing surgery to remove part of his right lung due to cancer. He is currently recovering at home and remains on track for his planned trip to Latin America in November. Medical staff are pleased with his progress, and he intends to resume his duties soon. The public has responded with support, and the Pope appears determined to maintain his active schedule while prioritizing his health.

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Pope Leo XIV has officially left the Gemelli Hospital in Rome this past Saturday. His departure comes only a few days after he a medical procedure to remove the lower lobe of his right lung due to cancer. The surgery was carried out to address the health issue, and medical staff have confirmed that he is now recovering well. Following his discharge, the Pope has returned to his to continue his recovery process. Despite the recent health challenge, his schedule remains active. He is currently expected to travel to Latin America in November, a trip that appears to be moving forward as planned. The medical team has expressed satisfaction with his progress, noting that he is strong enough to resume his duties. Many followers around the world have sent well wishes, showing how much his health matters to the public. The hospital stay was relatively short, which is a positive sign for someone of his age. He will likely spend the coming weeks focusing on his health before he sets off for his international visit. The Pope’s ability to return home so quickly highlights the efficiency of the medical care he received. It is clear that he intends to maintain his busy lifestyle, provided that his doctors give him the green light. For now, he is taking things one day at a time, balancing his need for rest with his responsibilities. The news of his release has brought relief to many who were concerned about his condition. As he settles back into his routine, the focus remains on his full recovery. He has shown and his to his upcoming travel plans demonstrates his determination to continue his work despite the recent surgery.

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Comprehension
Question 1 of 3

What was the main reason for the Pope's surgery?

Grammar spotlight

Present Perfect

One point · B1

We use the present perfect to describe an action that happened at an unspecified time in the past or has relevance now.

From this article

“Pope Leo XIV has officially left the Gemelli Hospital in Rome this past Saturday.”

What to know · B1

Use it today

Try saying this aloud

Neutral register

Scenario: Discussing someone's recovery

  1. 01“He is recovering well.”
  2. 02“He is on track.”
  3. 03“He is taking things one day at a time.”

Register tip · neutral

🔑Key Phrases

“has officially left the Gemelli Hospital”— has formally departed the hospital

Used to describe a recent completed action

Present perfect

The president has officially left the building.

“underwent a medical procedure”— had a surgery

Formal way to describe having surgery

Past simple

He underwent a knee surgery last month.

“expressed satisfaction with his progress”— said they were happy with how he is getting better

Professional way to report medical opinion

Verb + noun phrase

The teacher expressed satisfaction with the results.

“taking things one day at a time”— focusing on the present moment

Common idiom for recovery

Gerund phrase

After the accident, she is taking things one day at a time.

💬Discussion Questions

Open-ended questions to talk or write about — alone, with a partner, or in class.

  1. 1

    How can public figures balance their private health with their public duties?

    Evaluate
  2. 2

    Do you think the media should report on the health of famous leaders?

    Opinion
  3. 3

    How does having a busy schedule impact your ability to recover from illness?

    Personal
  4. 4

    What role does public support play in a patient's recovery?

    Evaluate
  5. 5

    If you were in the Pope's position, would you cancel your travel plans?

    Predict
  6. 6

    How has modern medicine changed how we view cancer?

    Compare
  7. 7

    What is the most important factor in a quick recovery?

    Opinion
  8. 8

    How do you define 'resilience' in your own life?

    Personal
  9. 9

    Is it better to return to work quickly or take a long break?

    Opinion
  10. 10

    How might the Pope's recovery inspire others?

    Predict

News sourced from: NPR Arts & Life →. LectoPress rewrites the facts as original graded-reader text for language learners.

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