Pope Leo XIV Appears in St. Peter's Square Post-Surgery, Expresses Gratitude

Pope Leo XIV offered his Sunday address and led the Angelus prayer from a window of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican on October 18, 2026, marking his first significant public appearance since undergoing lung cancer surgery. Addressing an estimated 15,000 Catholic faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, the 71-year-old pontiff expressed his thanks for their support.

“Now that this delicate phase is behind me, I will gradually resume my activities, always with God’s help and your prayers,” Pope Leo stated. Just a week prior, from the same window, he had disclosed the discovery of a lung nodule that required surgical removal. The operation confirmed a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer. Results to determine if the cancer has metastasized are still awaited.

The Pope shared that the recent experience has fostered a sense of closeness with those enduring illness and infirmity. He conveyed that he had “truly felt your support” and extended “particular gratitude to the doctors, nurses and all the staff at Gemelli Hospital” in Rome, where he received treatment. After a brief pause and a wave, he retreated into his residence within the Apostolic Palace.

A delegation of Catholics from Africa, present in Rome for a conference, celebrated his appearance with dancing and ululations. Alain Kalembu from the Democratic Republic of the Congo remarked, “He was always in our prayers when he was sick, and we are happy to see him today. This is an expression of our joy.” Claire Holland from Jacksonville, Florida, United States, also expressed feeling “very blessed” to witness the Pope’s return to public life.

Concerns had arisen regarding a planned papal trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru in November. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin had indicated that the Pope might need to adjust his schedule based on his health. However, Pope Leo’s surgeon, Stefano Margaritora, informed Vatican News that he saw “no clinical reasons why the trip should not go ahead.” This news was welcomed by Latin American attendees in the crowd, with Soledad Espinosa from Ecuador stating, “We are all hoping for his recovery, and that he has gotten through the situation well. We know that he is OK, and we’re pleased.”