Leo XIV leads Sunday Angelus in Vatican after lung surgery

Pope Leo XIV addressed the faithful in St Peter's Square on October 18, five days after surgery on his right lung.

At noon, the pontiff appeared at the Apostolic Palace window for his Sunday address and the Angelus prayer. He had left Rome's Gemelli Hospital and returned to the Vatican the previous day.

After the prayer, Leo thanked those who had prayed for him, as well as the hospital's doctors, nurses and staff. He said the experience had helped him feel closer to people living with illness.

The pope announced on October 11 that a lung nodule had been discovered and he would undergo surgery. Doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung on October 13 because of an adenocarcinoma. Vatican statements said his postoperative condition allowed discharge on October 17.

Leo said he would gradually resume his activities.