Pope Leo XIV returned to the Vatican in a striking show of resilience Sunday, appearing before thousands of Catholic worshippers in St. Peter’s Square just five days after surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his lung.
The 71-year-old pontiff led the traditional Angelus prayer from a window overlooking the square. It was his first official appearance since leaving Rome’s Gemelli hospital Saturday, following an operation to remove the lower lobe of his right lung.
Leo thanked the faithful for praying and offering support during his hospitalization. He said the experience of confronting serious illness had deepened his closeness to others who are suffering, while also praising the doctors, nurses and hospital workers who cared for him after the procedure.
Pope Leo XIV appears at the window of his study in the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican for the traditional noon blessing after praying the Angelus, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, one day after returning from the hospital, where surgeons removed a cancerous tumor from his lung on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
The first American-born pope said he hoped, with God’s help and the continued prayers of Catholics, to gradually return to his normal schedule.
In his Angelus message, Leo reflected on Jesus’ well-known instruction: “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” He urged Christians to act with integrity and avoid hypocrisy.
The pope’s return to public duties came earlier than anticipated. Doctors had initially expected him to remain in the hospital for roughly a week after Tuesday’s surgery.
Leaving the hospital Saturday, Leo told a reporter in English that he was doing “much better.”
Faithful watch Pope Leo XIV at the window of his study in the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican during the traditional noon blessing after the Angelus, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, one day after his return from the hospital, where surgeons removed a cancerous tumor from his lung on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Claire Holland, who was visiting from Jacksonville, Florida, told The Associated Press that she felt “very blessed” to see the pope return.
“I think there have been millions and millions of prayers. And he is a strong determined man, and I am so happy that he is feeling well enough to do this,” Holland said.
The operation was the first major health crisis of Leo’s 17-month pontificate. Doctors identified the tumor as adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer.
Further tests are being conducted on the tumor and nearby lymph nodes to assess how far the disease has spread. The results will help determine whether Leo needs additional treatment, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapy.
Pope Leo XIV appears at the window of his study in the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican for the traditional noon blessing after praying the Angelus, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, one day after returning from the hospital, where surgeons removed a cancerous tumor from his lung on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Leo is scheduled to travel to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from Nov. 6 to Nov. 17. The demanding trip includes 12 flights and two helicopter journeys to destinations at high altitude.
His surgeon, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, told Vatican News Saturday that the pope appears healthy enough to make the journey.
“The Holy Father has put his heart and soul into his recovery,” Margaritora said. He added that Leo was expected to make a full recovery from the operation “in another 10 days or so.”
Regarding the long trip and air travel planned in about three weeks, Margaritora said, “there are no clinical reasons why it should not take place.”
