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Pope Leo XIV Leads First Angelus Prayer for Lung Cancer

Stateline MEDIA Newsroom•October 18, 2026•3 min read

Pope Leo XIV, 71, led the Angelus prayer in the Vatican on Sunday (18/10/2026) — his first major public appearance since surgery on lung cancer five days earlier.

Key Facts

Pope Leo XIV (71 years old) led the Angelus prayer on Sunday (18/10/2026) noon from the balcony of the Apostolic Palace, the Vatican — his first major public appearance since surgery on lung cancer on 13 October 2026.
Thousands of people gathered in St. Peter’s Square to welcome him; the Pope appeared with a strong and strong voice, less than 24 hours after being returned from the Gemelli Hospital, Rome.
He thanked the prayer of the community and the medical team of the Gemelli Hospital, as well as acknowledging that the experience of illness made him feel closer to those who suffer.
The Pope promised to continue the task gradually: “Now that the sensitive phase has passed, I will continue my activity gradually – always with the help of God and your prayers.”
The operation removes the lower lobes of the right lungs of the Paus; the results of tissue examination confirm the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer.
The team of doctors said there was no clinical reason to cancel a trip to Latin America from 6 to 17 November (Uruguay, Argentina, Peru).

First public appearance

Pope Leo XIV, 71, made his first public appearance on Sunday (18/10/2026) Vatican daytime, five days after undergoing lung cancer surgery.From the balcony of the Apostolic Palace facing St. Peter's Square, he led the weekly Angelus prayer in front of thousands of people who gathered, handcuffing and singing to greet him.

With a firm and strong voice, the Pope thanked all parties who prayed for him during his treatment. 'I truly feel your support. Thank you!' said the Pope, who also expressed a special thanks to the doctors, nurses, and all staff of the Gemelli Hospital, Rome, where he underwent surgery.

This appearance took place less than 24 hours after the Pope was released from the hospital on Saturday (17/10/2026) — faster than the initial estimate of a team of doctors who called the treatment time about a week.

The experience of pain makes it close to the sufferer

In his greeting, Pope Leo XIV said his experience of pain was a profound lesson. ‘This experience gave me a profound sense of closeness with everyone who is suffering from illness or weakness,’ he said in front of the public. ‘Now that the sensitive phase has passed, I will continue my activity gradually — always with the help of God and your prayers.

In a reflection before the Angelus prayer, the Pope quoted one of the most well-known words of Jesus about giving to the Emperor what is the right of the Emperor, and to God what is the right of God.

Background: October 13 operation and diagnosis of adenocarcinoma

On Tuesday (13/10/2026), the Pope underwent surgery at Gemelli Hospital to remove the lower lobes of his right lungs. The results of tissue examinations then confirmed the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma — the most common type of lung cancer. The Vatican said the operation was successful, scheduled, and planned.

The Pope announced his own plan for the operation on Sunday (11/10/2026), after a team of doctors found a small nodule localized in his lungs during a routine medical examination.The news of a cancer diagnosis on Tuesday surprised the Vatican and the Catholic world, given that the Pope is known to be in good physical condition.

Calendar ahead: Agenda cancelled, Latin America tour remains on track

The Vatican has cancelled all of the Pope’s public appearances until Wednesday (21/10/2026) to give room for recovery. But the apostolic trip to Latin America on November 6–17—including Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru—is declared to be ongoing.

Professor Stefano Margaritora, the surgeon who operated the Pope, told Vatican News that there was no clinical reason to cancel the trip. Pope Leo XIV had served as a missionary and bishop in Peru for years; the route included a visit to Cusco, which is at an altitude of about 3,350 meters above sea level.