Pope Leo XIV Resumes General Audiences Eight Days After Lung Surgery

Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery for lung cancer on October 13. The 71-year-old pontiff had the lower lobe of his right lung removed, according to The Independent.

He was discharged from hospital on Saturday, October 17, Euronews reported. His return to the Vatican began a gradual resumption of public duties, rather than an immediate return to his usual schedule.

On Sunday, October 18, Leo appeared at a window of the Apostolic Palace to lead the Angelus prayer. It was his first public appearance since surgery, with thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, according to NPR : National Public Radio.

He thanked supporters and medical staff and said he would gradually resume his activities, Euronews reported. "This experience has made me feel a special closeness to all those who are battling illness and infirmity," he said, according to NYT World News.

On Monday, October 19, Leo returned to work at the Vatican, CBS Top Stories reported. That day, the Vatican also announced that he would hold a general audience on Wednesday, according to CNN Brasil.

On October 21, eight days after surgery, he returned to St. Peter's Square for that audience. He waved to pilgrims and blessed babies from an open popemobile, CNN Brasil reported. "The first thing I want to say to you is thank you for the support and prayers," he told the crowd, according to World News CNA.

Wednesday's audience marks a further step beyond Sunday's appearance at the palace window. ANSA.it reported that Leo greeted and blessed the faithful from the popemobile before the general audience.

His public return does not mean his recovery is complete. On October 18, World News CNA reported that his surgeon described his clinical condition as "absolutely satisfactory" but estimated another ten days before full recovery.

The next issue is how quickly Leo expands his schedule after promising a gradual return. A South America trip is also in view: Deutsche Welle reported on October 18 that his surgeon saw no "clinical reason" for it not to go ahead. That assessment is not confirmation that recovery is finished.