Pope Leo thanks crowds in first appearance after cancer surgery

Summary

Pope Leo XIV thanked thousands of faithful in St Peter’s Square on Sunday at his first public appearance since lung cancer surgery, reciting the Angelus prayer from the balcony of the Apostolic Palace. NBC News and CBS News report that he was discharged from hospital on Saturday, a day before the appearance. Sky News, The Guardian and RTÉ report that he plans to gradually resume his duties, and The Straits Times reports that he said he would begin to resume his normal schedule. The Guardian reports that he appeared unaided and was greeted with applause.

Timeline

1. NBC News

   17 Oct 2026, 23:06 UTCSource ↗

   NBC News reports that Pope Leo was discharged from hospital on Saturday after lung cancer surgery and was set to give a prayer and blessing at the Vatican on Sunday.

2. Sky News

   18 Oct 2026, 09:53 UTCSource ↗

   Sky News reports that Pope Leo greeted crowds in St Peter’s Square at his first public event since lung cancer surgery and said he plans to gradually return to his usual duties.

3. The Straits Times

   18 Oct 2026, 10:20 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports that Pope Leo thanked people around the world for their prayers and said he would begin to resume his normal schedule.

4. BBC

   18 Oct 2026, 11:09 UTCSource ↗

   The BBC reports that Pope Leo XIV recited the traditional Angelus prayer from the balcony of the Apostolic Palace at his first event since his lung cancer diagnosis and surgery.

5. CBS News

   18 Oct 2026, 11:28 UTCSource ↗

   CBS News reports that Pope Leo thanked thousands of faithful in St Peter’s Square on Sunday, one day after being discharged from hospital for cancer surgery.

6. The Guardian

   18 Oct 2026, 11:40 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that Pope Leo, 71, appeared unaided at the Apostolic Palace window to deliver the Sunday Angelus and said he would gradually resume his activities after an operation to remove a cancerous lung tumour.

7. Fox News

   18 Oct 2026, 11:42 UTCSource ↗

   Fox News reports that thousands gathered in St Peter’s Square as Pope Leo XIV returned from Gemelli hospital and delivered the Angelus prayer days after cancerous tumour removal.

8. RTÉ

   18 Oct 2026, 11:45 UTCSource ↗

   RTÉ reports that Pope Leo thanked thousands of faithful for their prayers while he was in hospital for an operation to remove a malignant tumour and said he plans to gradually return to his usual duties.

9. The Globe and Mail

   18 Oct 2026, 14:23 UTCSource ↗

   The Globe and Mail reports that Pope Leo XIV thanked thousands gathered in St Peter’s Square for their prayers during his hospitalisation and said he would gradually resume his usual duties after surgery to remove a malignant lung tumour.

10. Africanews

    18 Oct 2026, 14:45 UTCSource ↗

    Africanews reports that Pope Leo XIV thanked thousands of faithful in St Peter’s Square for their prayers while he was hospitalised earlier in the week.