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The pontiff appeared at the window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St Peter’s Square on Sunday to lead the traditional prayer days after leaving Gemelli University Hospital. According to the BBC after reciting the Angelus he thanked those who had prayed for him in recent days and expressed appreciation for their support. The 71-year-old added that he would now gradually return to his commitments as recovery continues the report stated. Vatican officials had confirmed his discharge on October 17 following the October 13 operation.
Doctors Stefano Margaritora and Luigi Carbone reported that Pope Leo’s recovery was proceeding as planned with independent daily activities and successful physiotherapy Reuters said. The surgery removed the lower lobe of his right lung after a nodule discovered in routine checks was diagnosed as adenocarcinoma. A chest X-ray confirmed good progress in the operated lung according to the medical team’s updates released by the Holy See Press Office.
The Chicago-born pope who was elected in May 2025 celebrated Mass in the hospital and met with senior cardinals during his stay America Magazine reported. His discharge came sooner than the initially expected week-long hospitalisation prompting relief among the global Catholic community. AFP placed the number of Catholics worldwide at 1.4 billion many of whom followed the health updates closely.
Pope Leo stopped to speak with relatives of young cancer patients as he departed the hospital on foot smiling and waving to crowds multiple outlets including Philstar and USA Today noted. The Vatican has kept his November 6 to 17 trip to South America on the schedule for now with the surgeon seeing no clinical reasons to cancel. Public audiences remain suspended until October 20 while he eases back into duties.
The transparency around the diagnosis and treatment marks a contrast with past papal health secrecy PBS News observed in its coverage. Further histological results are awaited to determine if the cancer has spread a key detail not yet disclosed by the Vatican. Clergy in the United States where the pope was born praised his resilience in statements relayed by the USCCB.
Faithful gathered in large numbers in St Peter’s Square for the Angelus WBUR reported with one attendee citing millions of prayers as a factor in the swift return. The pontiff had announced the upcoming surgery during a previous Angelus reassuring pilgrims that the nodule was well-contained and caught early. His gradual return to full schedule will be monitored closely by both the Vatican and international media.
