Fastrack · Pope Leo Greets Vatican Crowds, First Event Since Surgery

Pope Leo XIV led the Angelus prayer from the Apostolic Palace window on Sunday. It came one day after his release from Rome's Gemelli hospital.

71-year-old Leo had the lower lobe of his right lung removed Tuesday.
Surgery confirmed adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer.
4 days after surgery, he left the hospital, ahead of the expected weeklong stay.
Thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square to hear him speak.

Why it matters: This is the first major health event of Leo's 17-month pontificate. Testing on the tumor and lymph nodes will guide any further treatment.

Options include chemotherapy, chemotherapy with immunotherapy, or targeted oral therapy.
Leo disclosed the lung nodule publicly, breaking with past Vatican secrecy on papal health.

The story so far

7 steps · since Oct 11

Oct 11Pope Leo to Undergo Surgery to Remove Lung Nodule58 sources
Oct 13Pope Leo Has Part of Lung Removed in Cancer Surgery89 sources
Oct 15–16
Oct 1610:47 AMPope Leo Returns to Vatican Days After Lung Cancer Surgery46 sources
Oct 16
Oct 18Pope Leo Greets Vatican Crowds, First Event Since SurgeryYou are hereLatest

How 27 sources split on this story

Source landscape

Factuality

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Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right

Political Bias

Coverage by lean% of 27 sources

27 sources · 30 articles · 44% Center coverage

Center12 sources

abc27 (WHTM)5hPope Leo says he will gradually resume duties after cancer surgery Associated Press10hPope Leo tells faithful in St. Peter's Square he will gradually resume duties after cancer surgery CTV News10hPope Leo tells faithful in St. Peter's Square he will gradually resume duties after cancer surgery Deutsche Welle8hPope appears in public for first time since surgery NPR10hPope Leo says he will gradually resume duties after cancer surgery PBS NewsHour6hPope Leo tells faithful in St. Peter's Square he will gradually resume duties after cancer surgery Reuters12hPope Leo greets crowds at Vatican in first event since cancer surgery Sky News13hPope makes public appearance a day after being discharged from hospital following lung cancer surgery The Hill8hPope Leo tells faithful in St. Peter’s Square he will gradually resume duties after cancer surgery The National Desk9hThousands fill St. Peter’s Square as Pope Leo XIV thanks prayers after hospitalization USA Today8hPope Leo XIV promises slow return to papal duties post-surgery WKBN Youngstown5hPope Leo says he will gradually resume duties after cancer surgery

Left coverage, 8 sources: The left frames the story around the faithful welcoming Leo back and his surgeon clearing him for travel.

The Independent9hPope Leo makes first public appearance days after lung cancer surgery CNN12hPope Leo leads Sunday prayers in first major public appearance since lung cancer surgery ABC News8hPope Leo leads prayer at Vatican on Sunday following discharge from hospital MSNBC7hPope Leo XIV leads public prayer 5 days after lung cancer surgery Politico11hPope Leo tells faithful in St. Peter’s Square he will gradually resume duties after cancer surgery The Boston Globe13hFaithful gather to welcome Pope Leo back: Sunday blessing after cancer surgery The Guardian11hPope Leo to gradually resume papal activities since removal of cancerous tumour The New York Times12hPope Leo Thanks the Faithful in Weekly Address a Day After Leaving Hospital

Right coverage, 7 sources: The right frames the appearance as a triumphant comeback before cheering crowds, and highlights his rare openness about his health.

Daily Mail11hPope Leo is cheered by thousands of people in St Peter's Square as he leads prayer service after lung cancer surgery Newsmax12hPope Leo Greets Crowds at Vatican in First Event Since Cancer Surgery Breitbart News11hPope Leo Tells Faithful He Will Resume Duties After Cancer Surgery New York Post4hPope Leo says he will gradually resume duties after lung cancer surgery OutKick11hPope Leo welcomed back as he delivers Angelus prayer days after lung cancer surgery The Washington Times8hPope Leo tells faithful in St. Peter's Square he will gradually resume duties after cancer surgery Washington Examiner9hPope tells faithful he will gradually resume duties after cancer surgery

What’s next: Leo said he will gradually resume his activities. Surgeon Stefano Margaritora expects full surgical recovery in about 10 days.

Margaritora said there are no clinical reasons to cancel the Nov. 6-17 trip.
The trip includes a dozen flights and a stop in high-altitude Cusco, Peru.
Will the pope need chemotherapy or other treatment after surgery?
Will the Latin America itinerary change if further treatment is required?