Pope Leo leads Angelus, says he will gradually resume duties

Summary

Pope Leo led the Angelus on Sunday; Euronews reports it was from the Apostolic Palace, while PBS NewsHour says he addressed the faithful in St. Peter’s Square. He said he would gradually resume duties, Euronews and PBS NewsHour report, and Euronews says he thanked doctors. The New York Times reports that in his first public appearance since surgery, he said the experience brought him closer to people battling illness and infirmity; PBS NewsHour says his voice sounded strong four days after the lower lobe of his right lung was removed. CBS News reports he left a Rome hospital ahead of schedule on Saturday after surgery that led to a cancer diagnosis. This follows reports that he left hospital after lung cancer surgery and was expected to lead Sunday prayers.

Timeline

1. CBS News

   18 Oct 2026, 02:35 UTCSource ↗

   CBS News reports that Pope Leo was discharged from a Rome hospital ahead of schedule on Saturday after lung surgery that led to a cancer diagnosis.

2. The New York Times

   18 Oct 2026, 11:58 UTCSource ↗

   The New York Times reports that Pope Leo addressed the faithful a day after leaving hospital, saying the experience made him feel a special closeness to people battling illness and infirmity.

3. Euronews

   18 Oct 2026, 15:02 UTCSource ↗

   Euronews reports that Pope Leo led the Angelus from the Apostolic Palace after surgery for a malignant tumour in his right lung, thanked doctors and said he would gradually resume duties.

4. PBS NewsHour

   18 Oct 2026, 16:34 UTCSource ↗

   PBS NewsHour reports that Pope Leo told the faithful in St. Peter’s Square he would gradually resume his activities; his voice sounded strong four days after the lower lobe of his right lung was removed.