Standfirst: Pope Leo XIV returned to the Apostolic Palace window for the Angelus after a five-day hospital stay in Rome. Following surgery to remove a malignant tumour from his right lung, the Pope said the experience had brought him closer to people living with illness.
Pope Leo XIV appeared at the Apostolic Palace on Sunday, 18 October, after being discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Polyclinic the previous day. Speaking to worshippers gathered in St Peter’s Square, he thanked those who had prayed for him and expressed particular gratitude to the doctors, nurses and other medical staff who cared for him.
The Pope’s return to the Angelus marked his first public appearance after surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. Doctors identified the tumour as a pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Vatican communications said he would gradually resume his duties while recovering.
Pope Leo XIV returns to public duties after hospital stay
Leo XIV received warm applause as he appeared at noon to lead the traditional Angelus prayer. His remarks focused on gratitude and solidarity with people experiencing illness or reduced health.
The Pope said that his time in hospital had made him feel especially close to those facing sickness. The message placed his own recovery in the wider context of patients and families who deal with medical treatment and convalescence every day.
He also thanked people who had supported him through prayer. His comments offered reassurance that he was beginning a gradual return to the public programme associated with the papacy, although the Vatican did not indicate that his full schedule would resume immediately.
What doctors said about the Pope’s condition
Professor Stefano Margaritora, the surgeon who carried out the operation on 13 October, later discussed the Pope’s recovery with Vatican media. He said Leo XIV was in satisfactory clinical condition when he left hospital.
According to Margaritora, the re-expansion of the lung was progressing within the timeframe normally expected after the procedure. He described the Pope’s overall condition as good and said the recovery had been exemplary.
The surgeon also said the tumour had been found incidentally during routine abdominal examinations. The lower parts of the lungs can be visible during some abdominal imaging, meaning an abnormality near the base of the lung may be detected even when the examination is being performed for another reason.
Margaritora said the operation had gone well and praised the Pope’s determination during the postoperative period. He described Leo XIV as an ideal patient and said the medical team had encountered no problems in caring for him.
Will the Pope travel to Latin America?
The Pope is expected to travel to Latin America in the coming weeks, with the journey scheduled to begin on 6 November. Margaritora said there were no clinical reasons at the time of the interview why the trip could not proceed.
However, the planned journey remains connected to the Pope’s recovery and medical advice. A recent discharge from hospital does not necessarily mean that normal activity can resume without adjustment, particularly after lung surgery. Vatican officials are expected to manage the programme in line with the Pope’s condition.
The surgeon said convalescence would take a couple of weeks. That timetable could allow the trip to go ahead, but the practical details of any apostolic journey can depend on medical assessments, travel demands and the need for rest.
Why the Pope’s recovery matters beyond the Vatican
Papal health developments attract international attention because the Pope’s public schedule is closely linked to the work of the Holy See. The Angelus, public audiences, diplomatic meetings and apostolic journeys all form part of the Vatican’s wider engagement with Catholics and international partners.
Leo XIV’s comments also carried a broader pastoral message. By speaking about his experience as a patient, he acknowledged the vulnerability associated with illness and highlighted the contribution of healthcare workers.
- Current position: Pope Leo XIV has been discharged from Gemelli Polyclinic.
- Medical procedure: Surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung.
- Diagnosis: Doctors identified a pulmonary adenocarcinoma.
- Public duties: The Pope has begun a gradual return to activities.
- Next major event: A Latin American journey is scheduled to begin on 6 November, subject to his recovery.
What happens next?
The immediate priority is the Pope’s convalescence following surgery. His public appearances and travel plans are likely to be adjusted according to medical advice and the pace of his recovery.
For now, his appearance at the Angelus indicates that he is able to resume at least some public responsibilities. It does not, by itself, confirm that every planned engagement will proceed unchanged. Further information from the Vatican and the medical team will clarify how his programme develops.
Conclusion
Pope Leo XIV has returned to the Angelus after surgery for a malignant tumour in his right lung, thanking supporters and the staff at Rome’s Gemelli Polyclinic. Doctors have described his condition as satisfactory and his recovery as progressing normally, while his planned Latin American journey from 6 November remains possible but linked to his ongoing convalescence.
