Pope Leo XIV led Sunday’s Angelus from the Apostolic Palace a day after leaving Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, thanked people who prayed for him, and said he would gradually resume his activities. The Holy See published an official English text of his words from St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, Oct. 18; the Italian Press Office bulletin records that he appeared at the study window of the Apostolic Palace at about noon Rome time (about 3:00 AM PT) on the 29th Sunday of Ordinary Time. Vatican News calls the Angelus his first scheduled public event since surgeons removed a portion of his right lung on Tuesday and doctors discharged him on Saturday.
Before the Marian prayer, Leo reflected on Matthew 22:15–21 and on Jesus’ reply about what belongs to the emperor and what belongs to God. The official English text quotes him saying the Teacher’s response “is astute, for it allows him to avoid the trap and exposes the hypocrisy of those who seek to put him to the test,” and summing up the lesson as a call “to be truthful, free from servile fear or hypocrisy, free to do good.” Vatican News reports the same Gospel reflection and uses “Caesar” in its English paraphrase where the Holy See English page uses “emperor.” He also marked the 100th World Mission Day after the Angelus, the Holy See text says.
After the prayer, Leo turned to his recovery. The Holy See English text has him say: “I would like to thank all those who have prayed for me in recent days. I have truly sensed your support. Thank you!” and “I wish to express my particular gratitude to the doctors, nurses and all the staff of the Gemelli Hospital.” He adds: “This experience has made me feel particularly close to all those who are living with illness or infirmity,” and “Now that I have overcome this delicate phase, as you know, I will gradually resume my activities, always with God’s help and your prayers.” Vatican News carries a close English version that says “I have truly felt your support” and “Now that this delicate phase has passed—as you know—I will gradually resume my activities, always with the help of God and your prayers.” The Guardian quotes the “delicate phase has passed” wording; Reuters and AFP prefer a “Having overcome this delicate phase…” rendering. This desk treats the Holy See English page as the primary English text and flags the outlet wording as translations or paraphrases.
Reuters, in a Straits Times copy, says Leo smiled from the Apostolic Palace window, spoke in a firm, clear voice, and came to the window unaided; The Guardian also reports he appeared unaided and drew applause. Reuters puts the crowd at about 15,000 “according to the Vatican,” describes a nun who knelt and cried, and quotes a sign held by other nuns: “Best wishes, Holy Father. We love you and we are praying for you.” Vatican News says thousands of pilgrims and visitors filled the Square; AFP says thousands and reports a chorus of “Viva il papa!” as he appeared. AFP quotes pilgrims including a Leeds priest, Christopher Butler, and visitors from Ecuador and Argentina on recovery hopes and the planned Latin America trip.
Background on the surgery and discharge comes from earlier Vatican and hospital statements that outlets repeat. Reuters says doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung on Oct. 13 and that Leo has a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma; The Guardian also reports adenocarcinoma; The Guardian and Vatican News report a Saturday discharge after blood tests and a chest X-ray, and AFP reports the Tuesday surgery and the Saturday discharge. Vatican News says the Prefecture of the Papal Household cancelled audiences through Tuesday, Oct. 20; Reuters says other public events stay cancelled until at least Oct. 21, when a weekly general audience would normally fall, and that the Holy See has not said whether he will hold it. Reuters adds that Leo plans to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from Nov. 6 to Nov. 17. Surgeon Stefano Margaritora told Vatican News he saw “no clinical reasons” against that trip and expected full recovery in about another 10 days, The Guardian and AFP report; Reuters notes Cardinal Pietro Parolin told journalists on Oct. 16 that the pope may need to adjust his pace “according to the condition of his health.” Tests on whether the cancer has spread remain pending, The Guardian and AFP say.
This desk did not attend the Square and did not independently count the crowd. The Angelus text and the Press Office bulletin establish that Leo led the prayer and spoke about gratitude and a gradual return; multi-outlet reporting fills in the hospital timeline, the crowd scene and the open questions on the November trip and any further treatment.
Correction · Oct 18, 2026, 10:03 AM PT: An earlier version of this story credited the noon study-window detail to both the Holy See English text and the Italian Press Office bulletin, listed the noon timing under both in the Evidence status, and credited adenocarcinoma, blood tests and chest imaging to both The Guardian and AFP. Only the bulletin records the noon appearance at the study window; The Guardian reports the adenocarcinoma diagnosis, The Guardian and Vatican News report the blood tests and chest X-ray, and AFP reports the surgery and Saturday discharge. This desk now credits each detail to the outlet that carries it.
