World Church · October 22, 2026
Also published in Italiano
Pope Leo Returns From Hospital And His Agenda Is Already Full
Pope Leo returned from the hospital and his agenda is already full
The Pope left the Gemelli Hospital in Rome on 17 October after a lung operation that removed the lower lobe of his right lung. The surgery revealed an adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer. He had been treated for about a week before returning to the Vatican.
He celebrated Mass from the Apostolic Palace window on 18 October, and thousands gathered on St Peter's Square to cheer him. He thanked everyone who prayed for him and said he felt a special connection with all who suffer illness. He announced he would resume his activities gradually.
On 16 October, the day he first celebrated Mass after the operation, he called Russian President Vladimir Putin. He asked for a ceasefire in Olesky, a Russian occupied city in the Ukrainian region of Kherson, so that food and medical aid could reach the population and civilians could leave safely.
The Vatican confirmed that preparations for a trip to Latin America from 6 to 17 November are continuing. The itinerary includes Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. A previous doubt about the trip was resolved after the surgeon said there are no medical reasons to cancel. The surgeon described the Pope as an ideal patient who was up and arranging chairs in the hospital chapel just two days after surgery.
On 27 October the Pope is scheduled to attend the closing day of a peace meeting organized by the Sant'Egidio community in Assisi. The event marks the 40th anniversary of Pope John Paul II inviting world religious leaders to pray for peace in Assisi. The theme of the meeting is 'Disarmed and Disarming Peace' taken from the Pope's own words. It is not yet certain whether he will attend; the Vatican has not announced his participation.
The Pope will hold his weekly general audience on 21 October. Cardinal Pietro Parolin warned that the Pope must adjust his schedule to his health condition.
The Pope also spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about assistance for a starving city in Ukraine.
The article does not mention any financial amount or currency.