Quick Answer: Pope Leo XIV made his first public appearance on Oct. 18, 2026, since lung surgery. At the Apostolic Palace window for the Angelus prayer, the 71-year-old told thousands in St. Peter’s Square he will “gradually resume” his duties, a day after leaving Rome’s Gemelli hospital.
VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV waved to thousands of cheering faithful in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday as he led the Angelus prayer from the Apostolic Palace window — his first public appearance since lung cancer surgery five days earlier.
Key Takeaways
- Pope Leo XIV led the Sunday Angelus on Oct. 18 — his first public appearance since lung cancer surgery.
- He thanked the faithful for their prayers and said he will “gradually resume” his activities.
- His surgeon says his Nov. 6–17 Latin America trip can go ahead.
- Further tests on whether the cancer has spread are still pending.
Thousands greet the pope in St. Peter’s Square
A chorus of “Viva il papa!” rang out as the pope appeared, smiling and speaking in a firm voice a day after his discharge from the Gemelli hospital on Saturday. Many American tourists joined the crowd — Leo, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, is the first pope born in the United States.
“I would like to thank all the people who have been praying for me in these days,” he told the crowd. He told a reporter in English as he left the hospital on Saturday that he was doing “much better.”
“I will gradually resume my activities”
The pope said the experience of illness had given him “a profound sense of closeness to all those who are going through illness or a state of infirmity,” adding that he will “gradually resume” his activities, “always with the help of God and your prayers.”
The Holy See had canceled his engagements through Oct. 20, raising questions about his demanding Nov. 6–17 trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. But surgeon Stefano Margaritora told Vatican News there are “no clinical reasons” the trip cannot go ahead, and called the pope’s condition “absolutely satisfactory.”
What doctors confirmed — and what remains unknown
The Oct. 13 surgery — a 90-minute video-assisted procedure — removed the lower lobe of the pope’s right lung without complications. Tests confirmed an adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer, found by chance during a routine X-ray. The lung cancer diagnosis and surgery were announced earlier this month.
Still pending: further tests on whether the cancer has spread, and whether additional treatment such as chemotherapy will be needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What about the pope’s health after the surgery?
Recovering well: the lower lobe of his right lung was removed on Oct. 13, and his surgeon expects a full recovery in about ten days. Tests on whether the cancer has spread are still pending.
Who is the pope who returned to the Vatican window?
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, is the first pope born in the United States, elected in May 2025.
What did Pope Leo say at the Angelus?
He thanked the faithful for their prayers, said the illness brought him “a profound sense of closeness” to all who are ill, and said he will “gradually resume” his activities.
Is the pope’s Latin America trip still happening?
Yes — his surgeon says there are “no clinical reasons” the Nov. 6–17 visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru cannot go ahead.
When was the pope’s lung cancer diagnosed?
He announced on Oct. 11, 2026, that doctors had found a small, localized lung nodule; surgery on Oct. 13 confirmed it was an adenocarcinoma.
Sources: reporting from CNN, the Associated Press, Reuters, Anadolu Agency, OSV News, and Vatican News; facts verified on Oct. 18, 2026. Event date: Oct. 18, 2026 (Sunday Angelus, Vatican City). Details on cancer spread and any further treatment remain pending official confirmation.
Full coverage of this story: Pope Leo Diagnosed With Lung Cancer After · Pope Leo XIV Discharged From Hospital After Cancer Surgery
