Pope Leo takes to popemobile for first general audience since lung cancer surgery

Summary

Pope Leo XIV returned to St Peter's Square at the Vatican on Wednesday, October 21, waving from his open-air popemobile as he held his first general audience since lung cancer surgery eight days earlier. The Straits Times reports that he had the lower lobe of his right lung removed in surgery on October 13. RTÉ reports the same appearance and says his doctors, in a statement released by the Vatican, said he will need no further treatment after the operation to remove a cancerous tumour from his lung. CNA quotes him telling the crowds, "The first thing I want to say to you is thank you for the support and prayers."

Timeline

1. The Straits Times

   21 Oct 2026, 08:56 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports that Pope Leo returned to St Peter's Square on Wednesday, waving from his open-air popemobile at his first general audience since lung cancer surgery eight days earlier, and that he had the lower lobe of his right lung removed in surgery on October 13.

2. RTÉ

   21 Oct 2026, 08:58 UTCSource ↗

   RTÉ reports that Pope Leo XIV returned to St Peter's Square, waving from his open-air popemobile as he held his first general audience at the Vatican since undergoing lung cancer surgery eight days earlier, and that his doctors said in a Vatican statement he needs no further treatment.

3. CNA

   21 Oct 2026, 10:14 UTCSource ↗

   CNA reports that Pope Leo told the crowds in St Peter's Square, "The first thing I want to say to you is thank you for the support and prayers," as he held his first general audience at the Vatican since lung cancer surgery.