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If the Lord does not watch over the city, in vain does the watchman keep vigil.Ps 127:1

Vatican Angelus, 18 October 2026

Pope Leo XIV thanks faithful for prayers after hospitalization

Catholic IntelligenceUpdated 1 min read

Pope Leo XIV thanked the faithful for their prayers following his recent hospitalization and surgery to remove a lung tumor. Speaking from the window of the Apostolic Palace on Sunday, 18 October 2026, the pope expressed his gratitude to those who supported him through prayer and thanked the medical staff at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic.

The pope underwent surgery on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, to remove the lower lobe of his right lung due to an adenocarcinoma. He was discharged from the hospital on Saturday after medical evaluations showed sufficient progress in his recovery. During his address to the crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square and the adjacent square, the pope noted that the experience helped him feel a closer connection to those experiencing illness and infirmity.

He stated that he will gradually resume his official duties with the help of God and the prayers of the faithful. In addition to his thanks, the pope used the occasion to call for prayers regarding the 100th World Mission Day, encouraging the Church to remain faithful to the mission of preaching the Gospel.

AI-assisted briefing based on the sources below.

5 sources19 reports13 languages

Read it in Lietuvių · Українська · Italiano · Slovenščina · Português · Español · Polski · Македонски · Slovenčina · English · Nederlands · Français · العربية

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Earlier version, Wednesday 21 October

Pope Leo XIV thanks faithful for prayers after surgery

Earlier version, Wednesday 21 October

Pope Leo XIV thanks faithful for prayers at General Audience

Earlier version, Monday 19 October

Pope Leo XIV thanks faithful for prayers after cancer surgery

Earlier version, Sunday 18 October

Pope Leo XIV thanks all who prayed for him

How the coverage unfolded

  1. Oct 18, 3:32 AM Vatican News Lietuvių Popiežius padėkojo visiems, kas pastarosiomis dienomis už jį meldėsi
  2. Oct 18, 3:19 AM Vatican News Українська Папа: дякую всім, хто в ці дні молився за мене, я відчував вашу підтримку
  3. Oct 18, 3:57 AM Vatican News Italiano Leone XIV: grazie a quanti hanno pregato per me, ho sentito il vostro sostegno
  4. Oct 18, 3:53 AM Vatican News Slovenščina Papeževa zahvala vsem, ki so bili kakor koli povezani z njegovo
  5. Oct 18, 4:24 AM Vatican News Português Leão XIV: obrigado a todos que rezaram por mim, senti o apoio de vocês
  6. Oct 18, 4:00 AM Vatican News Español León XIV: gracias a todos los que han rezado por mí, he sentido su apoyo
  7. Oct 18, 5:16 AM Eparchy of Wrocław-Koszalin Polski ДЯКУЮ ВСІМ, ХТО В ЦІ ДНІ МОЛИВСЯ ЗА МЕНЕ, Я ВІДЧУВАВ ВАШУ ПІДТРИМКУ – СВЯТІШИЙ ОТЕЦЬ ПАПА ЛЕВ XIV.
  8. Oct 18, 8:10 AM Catholic New York Español León XIV: ‘Gracias a todos los que han rezado por mí, he sentido su apoyo’
  9. Oct 18, 7:12 AM Katolici Македонски Ангел Господов: „Навистина ја почувствував вашата поддршка“
  10. Oct 18, 9:38 AM Diocese of Lima Español León XIV: gracias a todos los que han rezado por mí, he sentido su apoyo
  11. Oct 18, 3:37 AM Vatican News Slovenčina Lev XIV. ďakuje za modlitby a postupne sa vracia k svojej činnosti
  12. Oct 19, 3:55 AM TK KBS Slovenčina Lev XIV. ďakuje za modlitby a postupne sa vracia k svojej činnosti
  13. Oct 18, 5:40 AM National Catholic Reporter Pope Leo tells faithful in St. Peter's Square he will gradually resume duties after cancer surgery
  14. Oct 19, 1:10 AM RKKerk.nl Nederlands Paus Leo XIV dankt gelovigen voor gebed na operatie: ‘Ik heb uw steun echt gevoeld’
  15. Oct 19, 1:04 AM RISU Українська Папа подякував усім, хто в ці дні молився за нього
  16. Oct 18, 6:25 AM Aleteia Français « J’ai vraiment senti votre soutien » : Léon XIV remercie les fidèles après son opération
  17. Oct 18, 3:37 PM The Catholic Leader Pope Leo grateful for people’s prayers, intends to resume duties ‘gradually’
  18. Oct 21, 2:01 AM Agenzia SIR Italiano Pope Leo XIV: “thank you for the support of your prayers”
  19. Oct 21, 8:30 AM Coptic Catholic Patriarchate of Alexandria العربية قداسة البابا لاوُن الرابع عشر…”أول شيء أودّ أن أقوله لكم هو: شكرًا!..

More on Pope Leo XIV

  1. Oct 22, 2:32 PM PT · 5 sources Pope Leo XIV invites 2027 World Youth Day participants
  2. Oct 22, 2:31 PM PT · 57 sources Pope Leo XIV leads the Angelus
  3. Oct 22, 2:30 PM PT · 46 sources Pope Leo XIV's doctors confirm no further treatment is necessary
  4. Oct 22, 2:30 PM PT · 33 sources Pope Leo XIV needs no further treatment after lung cancer surgery
  5. Oct 22, 1:21 PM PT Chicago artist creates Marian icon for Pope Leo XIV, who will keep the image in his bedroom
  6. Oct 22, 1:17 PM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV is cancer-free
  7. Oct 22, 1:00 PM PT · 11 sources Pope Leo XIV urges Catholic schools to help young people
  8. Oct 22, 12:43 PM PT · 25 sources Pope Leo XIV meets American Jewish Committee
  9. Oct 22, 12:12 PM PT · 11 sources Pope Leo XIV invites young people to register for World Youth Day in Seoul 2027
  10. Oct 22, 12:11 PM PT · 3 sources Pope Leo XIV to visit Argentina
  11. Oct 22, 11:21 AM PT · 25 sources Pope Leo XIV invites youth to Seoul for World Youth Day 2027
  12. Oct 22, 10:39 AM PT · 3 sources Pope Leo XIV to hold private audience with Villanova, Notre Dame teams
  13. Oct 22, 9:05 AM PT Pope Leo XIV and the Pressure to Be Perfect: “Many Give Up Before Even Trying”
  14. Oct 22, 8:30 AM PT A Global Symphony of Prayer: 16 Readers Share Ways They Prayed for Pope Leo XIV
  15. Oct 22, 8:20 AM PT · 6 sources Pope Leo XIV invites young people to Seoul for WYD 2027
  16. Oct 22, 8:07 AM PT · 33 sources Pope Leo XIV appoints 24 new members to International Theological Commission
  17. Oct 22, 8:01 AM PT · 7 sources Pope Leo XIV appoints Leandro Machado Silvestre as bishop of Guajará-Mirim
  18. Oct 22, 8:01 AM PT · 21 sources Pope Leo XIV leads General Audience on October 21, 2026, emphasizing marriage and family
  19. Oct 22, 8:01 AM PT · 23 sources Pope Leo XIV receives participants in Holiness in History conference
  20. Oct 22, 7:28 AM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas presented to Dutch and Flemish bishops
  21. Oct 22, 6:18 AM PT · 61 sources Pope Leo XIV speaks with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
  22. Oct 22, 5:20 AM PT · 9 sources Pope Leo XIV backs Synod on Synodality
  23. Oct 22, 4:30 AM PT · 3 sources COMECE bishops send message of prayer and support to Pope Leo XIV
  24. Oct 22, 4:01 AM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV receives participants of Congress on Pastoral Care in Schools and Universities
  25. Oct 22, 3:55 AM PT · 25 sources Pope Leo XIV emphasizes protecting marriage at general audience

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