Pope Leo XIV is set to make his first public appearance after undergoing surgery that led to a lung cancer diagnosis, the Vatican said on Friday, Oct. 16.
The 71-year-old pontiff will deliver the traditional Angelus prayer on Sunday, Oct. 18, as doctors report "steady improvement" in his recovery from the Oct. 13 operation. The Holy See Press Office confirmed that Sunday's Angelus "will take place."
Leo's doctors Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora said that new blood tests and a chest X-ray confirmed "the steady improvement in his overall condition." They said the pontiff is able to carry out normal daily activities "entirely independently" and is continuing respiratory physiotherapy.
Leo was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma after undergoing
surgery on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
Pope Leo celebrates Mass in hospital
Leo also celebrated Mass on Oct. 16 in a room set up on the 10th floor of Gemelli Hospital, where he distributed Communion to attendees. Members of the hospital's medical and nursing staff and the Vatican City State Gendarmerie Corps attended.
"In his homily, the pope thanked all the staff – doctors, nurses, and orderlies – for the work they do every day caring for patients in their frailty, and especially for what they have done and continue to do for him," the Vatican said.
The Vatican also released an image of Leo celebrating the Mass, marking one of the clearest public glimpses of his recovery since the operation.
Preparations are also continuing for the pope's planned trip to South America. Leo is scheduled to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from Nov. 6-17.
Work on the trip is "going forward," a Vatican spokesman said, according to Reuters.
Contributing: James Powel, Mary Walrath-Holdridge / USA TODAY
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@usatodayco.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pope Leo to make first appearance since cancer surgery
