Pope Leo XIV makes first public appearance after lung cancer surgery

Pope Leo XIV made his inaugural public appearance following lung cancer surgery, expressing gratitude to the faithful for their prayers and announcing a gradual return to his duties. He addressed pilgrims in St Peter’s Square on October 18, 2026, the day after being discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. The Pope thanked everyone who prayed for him, as well as the medical team that cared for him during his hospital stay.

Referring to his hospital experience, he expressed feeling particularly close to those facing health challenges. The Angelus, his first scheduled public event since discharge, was his first opportunity to resume public engagements. The Pope underwent surgery on his right lung to remove a nodule, which was confirmed to be lung adenocarcinoma, a type of non-small cell lung cancer.

The surgery, performed using video-assisted technique, lasted around 90 minutes and was completed without complications. Following the procedure, the Pope woke up normally and returned to his hospital room for observation. Doctors expected him to remain hospitalized for about a week to undergo further checks. He was discharged after blood tests and a chest X-ray confirmed he was fit to leave the hospital.

His gratitude and message of solidarity with the sick underscored his resilience during recovery, with further medical assessments guiding his return to full responsibilities as the head of the Catholic Church.