Pope Leo makes first public appearance since lung cancer surgery

Summary

Pope Leo XIV made his first major public appearance since lung cancer surgery on Sunday, greeting crowds in St. Peter's Square and delivering the traditional Sunday Angelus prayer from the Vatican, days after surgery to remove a cancerous lung nodule. Al Jazeera reports that he pledged a gradual return to his duties in his address to the faithful, while CBS News reports that he had returned to the Vatican and led the Sunday prayer. The Globe and Mail reports that the appearance came five days after the surgery.

Timeline

1. The Globe and Mail

   18 Oct 2026, 13:51 UTCSource ↗

   The Globe and Mail reports that Pope Leo greeted crowds in St. Peter's Square five days after undergoing surgery for lung cancer.

2. CBS News

   18 Oct 2026, 17:26 UTCSource ↗

   CBS News reports that Pope Leo XIV delivered the traditional Sunday Angelus prayer from the Vatican, overlooking St. Peter's Square, days after surgery to remove a cancerous nodule from his lung.

3. CBS News

   19 Oct 2026, 00:55 UTCSource ↗

   CBS News reports that Pope Leo has returned to the Vatican after his lung cancer surgery and led Sunday prayer, with its correspondent reporting on what he said during the service.

4. Al Jazeera

   19 Oct 2026, 04:42 UTCSource ↗

   Al Jazeera reports that Pope Leo pledged a gradual return to duties in an address to the faithful in St Peter's Square, his first major appearance since lung cancer surgery.