Pope Leo Appears at Vatican, Thanks Faithful for Prayers After Surgery

Pope Leo XIV made his first major public appearance on Sunday, October 18, since undergoing surgery for lung cancer, telling thousands of people gathered in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican that the experience had brought him closer to those suffering from illness and physical weakness.

The 71-year-old pontiff appeared at the window of the Apostolic Palace to lead the traditional Angelus prayer and deliver his customary Sunday address, returning to the same spot where, a week earlier, he had announced that doctors had discovered a nodule in his lung and recommended surgery to remove it. His appearance drew cheers from the crowd, many of whom had gathered to see him following his hospitalization.

“Having overcome this delicate phase,” the pope said, he would gradually resume his activities, with the help of God and the prayers of the faithful. He also thanked people around the world who had prayed for him and expressed particular gratitude to the doctors, nurses and other medical staff who treated him at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli University Hospital.

Leo underwent surgery on Tuesday, October 13, during which doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung. The operation confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer. Vatican officials reported that the procedure was successful and that there were no complications during the operation.

The pope was discharged from Gemelli Hospital on Saturday, October 17, after medical checks, including blood tests and a chest X-ray, indicated that his condition was stable enough for him to return to the Vatican. Before leaving the hospital, he celebrated Mass in a room set aside for worship and briefly acknowledged well-wishers gathered outside.

During Sunday’s appearance, Leo spoke about how his illness had affected his understanding of people facing health challenges. He said the experience of the past week had made him feel especially close to those living with sickness and infirmity, adding that he had felt the support of those who had kept him in their prayers. His remarks placed his recovery within the pastoral message of solidarity that has been central to his public ministry.

The pope’s return to the window was an important public sign of recovery, but it did not mean that his full schedule had immediately resumed. Reuters reported that the Vatican had cancelled other public engagements until at least Wednesday, October 21, while it remained unclear whether he would hold his next scheduled general audience. His doctors said he was able to carry out normal daily activities independently, although his recovery would continue.

Attention is also on Leo’s planned visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17. His lead surgeon, Professor Stefano Margaritora, said there was no clinical reason at that stage to cancel the trip and expected the pope to recover fully from the operation, while Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin indicated that the pace of the pontiff’s future schedule would need to reflect his health. Doctors are still assessing the removed tumour and related lymph nodes to determine whether further treatment will be necessary.

The recovery has brought the pope’s health into sharper public focus less than 18 months after his election in May 2025. As head of the Catholic Church, he leads a global community of around 1.4 billion Catholics and maintains a demanding programme of religious services, meetings, diplomatic engagements and international travel. His gradual return will therefore be watched not only by Catholics concerned for his wellbeing, but also by churches and institutions preparing for upcoming engagements with the Vatican. For now, Sunday’s appearance offered a visible sign of progress, while the timing of his full return to work remains dependent on his continuing recovery and medical assessments.