Pope Leo takes to popemobile for first time since cancer surgery
The pope thanked pilgrims for prayers and resumed public duties after surgery removed the lower lobe of his right lung.
- On Wednesday, Pope Leo XIV returned to St. Peter's Square for his first general audience since lung cancer surgery, riding in an open-air popemobile to greet pilgrims and bless babies during the 50-minute event.
- Leo underwent surgery on October 13 to remove the lower lobe of his right lung after diagnosis with lung adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer. He was discharged from Gemelli Hospital on October 17 after five days.
- During the audience, Pope Leo thanked supporters, stating, "Thanks be to God for his generosity." He reflected on the Second Vatican Council's Gaudium et Spes, emphasizing marriage and family as the foundation of society.
- The pontiff pledged to slowly resume his duties as leader of 1.4 billion Catholics. During the audience, he offered greetings in seven languages instead of his usual nine, signaling a cautious return to full workload.
- While doctors see no reason to cancel his planned November trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, Vatican officials have provided no schedule updates beyond this week, leaving the trip's status uncertain as recovery continues.
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136 Articles
Pope Leo XIV ascended the popemobile to tour St. Peter's Square during the general audience, after having been operated on October 13
Pope Leo returns to St. Peter’s Square, hold first audience since cancer surgery
Pope Leo returned to St. Peter's Square, waving to pilgrims from his open-air popemobile as he held his first general audience at the Vatican since undergoing lung cancer surgery.
Full text: Pope Leo XIV’s general audience given October 21, 2026
The following is the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s general audience address given Oct. 21 in St. Peter’s Square. The Documents of the Second Vatican Council. IV. Constitution Gaudium et Spes. 6. Commitment to the family in today’s society The post Full text: Pope Leo XIV’s general audience given October 21, 2026 first appeared on OSV News.
Pope Leo XIV returned to St. Peter's Square on Wednesday (21), waving to pilgrims and blessing babies from his open papamobile, during his first general audience in the Vatican since he had undergone surgery against lung cancer eight days ago. Read also: Pope Leo leaves hospital, four days after surgery to treat lung cancer After tumor removal, Pope maintains, for the time being, a trip to South America The 71-year-old pontiff, who promised to g…
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