Health & Science · October 18, 2026
Pope Leo welcomed back as he delivers Angelus prayer days after lung cancer surgery
Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff, delivered his traditional Sunday Angelus prayer at the Vatican just five days after undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his right lung. The 71-year-old Pope was discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Saturday, one day earlier than initially anticipated. Addressing a cheering crowd in St. Peter's Square, he expressed gratitude for the prayers of the faithful and the care of his medical staff, noting that the experience brought him closer to those living with illness. His surgeon indicated that there are currently no clinical reasons to cancel the Pope's upcoming ambitious trip to South America in November.
Read the original coverage
- Fox NewsMainstream
Pope Leo welcomed back as he delivers Angelus prayer days after lung cancer surgery
Read at Fox News ↗ - CBS NewsMainstream
Pope Leo says he will
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Pope Leo says he will gradually resume duties after cancer surgery
Read at NPR ↗ Pope Leo Addresses the Faithful a Day After Leaving the Hospital
Read at The New York Times ↗- NBC NewsMainstream
Pope Leo Delivers Sunday Prayer After Cancer Surgery
Read at NBC News ↗
Reported by multiple outlets
- Pope Leo XIV delivered the Angelus prayer from the Apostolic Palace window on Sunday, October 18, 2026.
- The Pope underwent surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung on Tuesday.
- The surgery confirmed the tumor was adenocarcinoma.
- The Pope was discharged from Gemelli Hospital on Saturday after a four-day stay.
- Pope Leo XIV is 71 years old and the first American-born Pope.
- The surgery was the first major health event of his 17-month pontificate.
- A trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru is scheduled for November 6-17.
- Dr. Stefano Margaritora expects a full recovery in about 10 days.
Reported by only some outlets
- Pope Leo XIV specifically quoted Jesus regarding 'the things that are the emperor's' during his address.
- A delegation from the Democratic Republic of Congo was present and celebrated the Pope's return.
- Histological testing of the tumor and lymph nodes is currently underway to determine if further treatment like chemotherapy or immunotherapy is needed.
What the evidence actually shows
Medical findings confirmed the Pope had adenocarcinoma in a node located in the lower lobe of his right lung. The surgeon, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, stated that the Pope is expected to recover in 10 days and is clinically fit for air travel in three weeks. Results from histological testing of lymph nodes are pending to determine if further oncology treatment (chemo/immuno/targeted therapy) is required.
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