By Paul Joseph
Pope Leo XIV has made his first major public appearance since undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous growth from his lung, expressing solidarity with people battling illnesses and thanking those who prayed for his recovery.
The 71-year-old pontiff led the traditional Sunday Angelus prayer from the balcony of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St Peter’s Square in the Vatican on Sunday, October 18, 2026, as thousands of faithful gathered to see him.
Addressing the crowd, Leo said his experience had deepened his understanding of the challenges faced by people living with illnesses and other health conditions.
“This experience has given me a profound sense of closeness to all those who are going through illness or a state of infirmity,” he said.
The Pope also expressed gratitude to the medical team that treated him and to people around the world who offered prayers for his recovery.
“Now that this delicate phase has passed, I will gradually resume my activities – always with the help of God and your prayers. Thank you once again,” he added.
His appearance was greeted with applause and cheers from the crowd, with the pontiff speaking in a firm voice as he wished those gathered a happy Sunday.
The appearance came a day after Leo was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he underwent surgery to remove a growth from his right lung.
The growth was subsequently diagnosed as adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer.
Doctors have described his recovery as good, raising hopes that he will proceed with his planned visit to Latin America from November 6 to 17.
Professor Stefano Margaritora, the surgeon who operated on the Pope, told Vatican News that there were no clinical reasons to prevent the trip from going ahead.
The planned visit will take Leo to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, where he previously served as a missionary and bishop for several years.
His itinerary includes a stop in Cusco, Peru, a city situated approximately 3,350 metres above sea level, where the lower oxygen levels could present an additional physical challenge.
The Pope’s health became a major concern last week after he announced that doctors had discovered a nodule in his lung and that he would require surgery.
The subsequent cancer diagnosis, announced on Tuesday, October 13, shocked many within the Vatican and the wider Catholic community, particularly because Leo had been known for maintaining good physical fitness.
His return to public duties is expected to be gradual as he continues his recovery.
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