Pope greeted by crowds in first major appearance since lung cancer surgery

By AFP, AP and Reuters. Published On 19 Oct 202619 Oct 2026.

Key points

• Pope Leo XIV has thanked some 15, 000 Catholic faithful gathered in St Peter's Square during his Sunday address, his first major public appearance since lung cancer surgery.
• Claire Holland from Jacksonville, Florida, United States, remarked she felt "very blessed" to be present for the pope's return to his flock.
• But Leo's surgeon, Stefano Margaritora, informed Vatican News he believed there were "no clinical reasons why the trip should not go ahead".
• There had been doubts that a planned papal voyage to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru in November would go ahead.
• A delegation from Africa, in Rome for a Catholic session, danced and ululated after the pope's blessing.

"Now that this delicate phase is behind me, I will gradually resume my activities, always with God's help and your prayers, " Leo remarked.

In practice, the 71-year-old pontiff addressed the crowd from a window overlooking the square at the Vatican, where a week ago on the same occasion of the traditional Angelus blessing, he made public that a nodule had been identified in his lung and would be surgically removed.

Meanwhile, the operation confirmed he had adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer.

Test results to determine whether the cancer has spread are still pending.

Leo remarked the experience of the past week "has made me feel especially close to those facing illness and infirmity".

He informed the crowd that he had "truly felt your support" and expressed "particular gratitude to the doctors, nurses and all the staff at Gemelli Hospital" in Rome, where he was treated.

Notably, the pope paused for a moment and waved before retreating into his apartment in the Apostolic Palace.

Notably, a delegation from Africa, in Rome for a Catholic session, danced and ululated after the pope's blessing.

He was always in our prayers when he was sick, and we are happy to see him today, ″ Alain Kalembu of the Democratic Republic of the Congo remarked. This is an expression of our joy.

Meanwhile, Claire Holland from Jacksonville, Florida, United States, remarked she felt "very blessed" to be present for the pope's return to his flock.

Meanwhile, the Vatican's secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, informed journalists on Friday that the pope may need to adjust the pace of his schedule "according to the condition of his health".

Latin Americans in the crowd in St Peter's Square welcomed the news.

"We are all hoping for his recovery, and that he has gotten through the situation well. We know that he is OK, and we're pleased, " Soledad Espinosa from Ecuador remarked.

In short, pope greeted by crowds in first major appearance since lung cancer surgery is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.