Pope Leo XIV to Resume General Audience in St. Peter's Square After Lung Surgery
The 71-year-old pontiff continues his recovery at the Apostolic Palace after surgery to remove a cancerous lung tumor and will preside over the weekly general audience on Wednesday, the Vatican says.
Pope Leo XIV will preside over the weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square on Wednesday, returning to a regular public appointment as he continues his recovery at the Apostolic Palace following surgery for a cancerous tumor in his lung, the Holy See press office said.
The 71-year-old pontiff will remain in the Vatican this week and will not travel to the papal residence at Castelgandolfo, where he customarily rested on Monday and Tuesday afternoons before his operation. The decision to stay in Rome reflects a recovery that the Vatican has described as favorable but which still requires the pope to remain close to his medical team.
Leo XIV underwent surgery on October 13 at Rome's Gemelli hospital for an adenocarcinoma, a form of cancer, in a procedure that removed the lower lobe of his right lung. He was discharged on Saturday and returned to the Vatican, where on Sunday he led the recitation of the Angelus, his first public appearance since the operation.
The Wednesday general audience is one of the most visible moments in the papal calendar, drawing pilgrims and visitors from around the world to St. Peter's Square for catechesis, prayer and the pope's greetings. Its resumption signals a gradual return to the public duties of the pontificate while the pope continues his convalescence.
Later in the week, Leo XIV is expected to receive participants in an international congress on school and university pastoral care, scheduled for October 22 and 23 in the Paul VI Audience Hall under the theme «Tracing New Paths of Hope.» The meeting, which the pope may welcome on Thursday or Friday, brings together those engaged in the church's educational mission at a time when Catholic institutions are debating how to accompany young people.
The pope's health has been a matter of close attention since the operation. The removal of a lung lobe is a significant procedure for a man of his age, and the Vatican has not provided a detailed prognosis, saying only that his recovery is proceeding well. His decision to remain in the Vatican rather than retreat to Castelgandolfo suggests a cautious approach to his schedule in the coming days.
For the faithful, the return of the general audience is a sign of continuity. The weekly gathering is a fixture of the church's life in Rome and a barometer of the pope's capacity to carry out his ministry. Leo XIV's presence in the square on Wednesday will be watched closely both for what it says about his health and for the message he chooses to deliver.
The Vatican has not announced any changes to the pope's longer-term calendar, and further appointments are expected to be confirmed as his recovery progresses.
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