VATICAN, October 17. /TASS/. Pope Leo XIV, who recently underwent a lung surgery, is now ready to be discharged from hospital, his doctors said.

"Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora said the Pope underwent blood tests and a chest X-ray in the morning, which confirm that his clinical condition allows for him to leave hospital," the statement says.

On Tuesday, the 71-year-old Pontiff, elected about 18 months ago, underwent surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. An intraoperative histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma (cancerous tumor), as suspected from the preoperative examinations. His further treatment was not specified, but it is presumed that surgery will be enough.

On Friday, the Pontiff had a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.