Leo XIV appeared in an open popemobile at St Peter's Square on 21 October, eight days after surgery on 13 October. The Vatican press office put the crowd at about 30,000.
Surgery at the Gemelli hospital on 13 October removed the lower lobe of the Pope's right lung after a lung adenocarcinoma diagnosis. He has since been discharged and is convalescing inside the Vatican.
In his catechesis on Gaudium et spes, Leo XIV urged people with social responsibilities, especially in politics and culture, to support marriage and family. He called the family the foundation of society.
Pope Leo XIV returned to St Peter's Square on Wednesday, 21 October, for his general audience, eight days after surgery at the Gemelli hospital in Rome. The 71-year-old pontiff rode an open popemobile fitted with a canopy, which protected him from rain that fell shortly before the audience began. The Vatican press office put the crowd at about 30,000 people, while ANSA reported thousands. The vehicle stopped repeatedly when children were present, and the Pope blessed them as cardinals and bishops applauded his arrival.
“The first thing I would like to tell you is thank you for your support and your prayers. We give thanks to God for his generosity.”
On 13 October doctors removed the lower lobe of the Pope's right lung at the Gemelli hospital after diagnosing him with lung adenocarcinoma. He has since been discharged and is continuing his recovery inside the Vatican. On Sunday, 18 October, he appeared in public at the Angelus from a window of the Apostolic Palace, and he had announced his intention to gradually resume his commitments. This week he did not travel to Castel Gandolfo, where he had usually spent parts of Mondays and Tuesdays since the start of his pontificate.
Claudio Micheletto, head of the pneumology unit at the Verona university hospital, told Adnkronos Salute that rest is important after an operation of this kind. He said the patient should avoid exertion and imprudent behaviour while recovering. Because the operation involved the chest, Micheletto said sudden changes in air pressure and cold air also need to be avoided. He is a member of the board of the Italian Association of Hospital Pneumologists (Aipo).
“It is important to avoid sudden changes in air pressure and the cold: these are precautions dictated by common sense.”
The catechesis, the Pope's first general audience since 7 October, drew on the second part of the Second Vatican Council document Gaudium et spes and dealt with commitment to the family in today's society. Leo XIV described the family as a school of a richer humanity and the foundation of society, as the council document does. He reminded people with social responsibilities, especially in politics and culture, of their duty to contribute effectively to the progress of marriage and family. Greeting Spanish-speaking pilgrims, he invoked the protection of the Holy Family of Nazareth over families around the world. He then made a plain appeal to the faithful.
“Dear friends, this commitment is more urgent than ever.”
The audience lasted about 50 minutes, followed the usual programme and ended with a blessing.
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Pope Leo XIV returned to St Peter's Square on Wednesday, 21 October, for his general audience, eight days after surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. The Vatican press office put the crowd at about 30,000 despite rain that fell shortly before the audience began.
AI text based on reports by Rai news, Adnkronos and ANSA.it. Published .