Pope Leo XIV, 71, was set to deliver the traditional Angelus prayer and blessing to crowds in St Peter’s Square on Sunday, the Vatican announced, marking his first public event since undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous growth from his lung. The appearance came one day after he was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.
When he left the hospital Saturday, Pope Leo XIV walked unaided to his waiting car and paused to speak with well-wishers who had gathered outside, according to the BBC. The Vatican did not release the specific remarks he made to them.
Discharge And Pope Leo XIV Angelus After Surgery
The pope’s operation took place on Tuesday and lasted 90 minutes, with surgeons removing the lower lobe of his right lung, the BBC reported. He was released from Gemelli Hospital four days later, on Oct. 17.
A statement from his doctors said blood tests and a chest X-ray showed “steady improvement” following the operation. The Vatican also released photographs showing the pope celebrating Mass and distributing communion to hospital staff on Friday, two days before his discharge.
What It Means For The Pope’s Schedule
The Sunday Angelus gives the public its first look at Pope Leo XIV in an official capacity since his surgery, though the Vatican has not detailed how he appeared or whether he spoke beyond the customary prayer and blessing. His broader schedule remains cleared through Oct. 20.
Despite the pause in his calendar, the pope has continued some diplomatic work during his recovery. He spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, their first call since June 2025, and used the conversation to call for a humanitarian ceasefire in the Ukrainian city of Oleshkiy so that evacuations and deliveries of food and medicine could proceed.
Background On The Surgery
The Vatican had previously disclosed that Pope Leo XIV would undergo surgery for a lung lesion, a procedure that preceded Tuesday’s operation. His recovery drew close attention in part because of a planned trip to Latin America in early November that includes a stop in Peru, where he served as a missionary for many years, the BBC reported.
No further test results on whether the cancer spread beyond the removed lung tissue have been announced.
What’s Next
Pope Leo XIV’s schedule is clear until Oct. 20, after which his public calendar is expected to resume in some form. His trip to Peru and other parts of Latin America remains planned for early November. Total Apex Entertainment will continue to follow his recovery and updates on his condition as they are announced.
For background on the diagnosis that led to this week’s operation, see our earlier report on the Vatican’s surgery announcement. Readers can also find coverage of the pope’s recent work on family ministry issues and his visit to France earlier this year.
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