STORY: Pope Leo greeted crowds from the window of the Vatican Palace on Sunday (October 18), a day after leaving hospital following surgery for lung cancer.

Leo, who had an operation on Tuesday to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, held his first public engagement since surgery, leading weekly prayers with pilgrims from his apartment overlooking St. Peter's Square.

His doctors said on Saturday (October 17) that he was well enough to return home after they carried out the latest blood tests and chest imaging, and that he was able to perform normal daily activities independently.

He has been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer. The diagnosis for a pope known to be relatively young and energetic and who was elected only in May 2025 caused shock and raised questions about the future shape of his papacy.

The pope's doctors have said his surgery was completed successfully, without complications. They have not yet disclosed the size of the tumour or whether the disease had spread to nearby lymph nodes, key factors in determining prognosis.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: VATICAN CITY (OCTOBER 18, 2026) (VATICAN MEDIA - Access all)

1. POPE LEO APPEARING AT WINDOW OF VATICAN PALACE OVER ST. PETER'S SQUARE, SAYING (Italian): "Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday"