Vatican News’s account of Sunday’s Angelus was compared with CBS/AP coverage. Earlier medical and discharge sources remain linked below. This report draws on published accounts, not an independent medical assessment or firsthand attendance.
Updated : Added the October 18 Angelus appearance and the pope’s stated plan to resume duties gradually. Earlier discharge and surgery reporting is retained.
Back at the palace window
Pope Leo XIV led the Angelus from the Apostolic Palace on Sunday, October 18, his first scheduled public event since surgery for lung cancer. Thousands gathered in St Peter’s Square for the prayer, a day after his discharge from Rome’s Gemelli hospital.
Leo thanked those who had prayed for him and said he would resume his activities gradually, according to CBS/AP. He also expressed gratitude to the hospital’s staff.
Recovery continues at the Vatican
Doctors cleared him to leave Gemelli on October 17 after blood tests, a chest X-ray and an assessment of his condition, according to the Vatican. OSV News reported that he walked out at about 3:30 p.m., ending a stay shorter than the roughly one week initially anticipated.
CBS/AP reported that further examination of the tumour and related lymph nodes was under way to help determine whether additional treatment would be needed.
A four-day hospital stay
Surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung on October 13 using a video-assisted procedure lasting about 90 minutes. Tissue examined during the operation confirmed lung adenocarcinoma. The Vatican reported no surgical complications.
Leo had announced the planned operation during his October 11 Angelus, after medical examinations identified a lung nodule. Saturday’s assessment by surgeon Stefano Margaritora and the pope’s personal physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, found him well enough to continue his recovery outside hospital.
Sources
7 references
- Vatican NewsPope at Angelus: Render unto Caesar means being truthful, free to do goodOfficial Vatican outlet reporting Sunday’s appearance · 2026-10-18
- CBS News / Associated PressPope Leo says he will gradually resume activities after cancer surgeryIndependent reporting with AP contributions; not a separate medical assessment · 2026-10-18
- Holy See Press OfficeMedical statement following Pope Leo’s surgery, bulletin 0809Primary medical bulletin issued by the pope’s doctors · 2026-10-13
- ReutersPope Leo had lobe of lung removed as doctors found cancer, Vatican saysIndependent confirmation of surgery and diagnosis · 2026-10-13
- Associated PressPope Leo XIV diagnosed with lung cancer after surgeryIndependent reporting on recovery and remaining test results · 2026-10-13
- Vatican NewsPope Leo XIV returns to Vatican after being discharged from hospitalOfficial Vatican outlet conveying the Press Office announcement and medical assessment · 2026-10-17
- OSV NewsPope Leo XIV discharged from hospital early following lung cancer surgeryIndependent reporting on the discharge, with attributed Vatican medical information · 2026-10-17
