Pope Leo to make public appearance Sunday, first since cancer surgery

After undergoing lung surgery this week, pope can now ‘carry out normal daily activities ​with full independence’, say doctors.Published On 16 Oct 202616 Oct 2026Pope Leo XIV is making steady progress at the hospital after undergoing lung surgery earlier this week, according to his doctors, as the Vatican says he plans to appear before the public on Sunday.The 71-year-old Catholic leader, who has been diagnosed with lung cancer, underwent an operation to remove part of his right lung on Tuesday.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Pope says death penalty ‘inadmissible’ as US plans to livestream executionlist 2 of 3US archbishop says Catholics in army should not participate in firing squadlist 3 of 3Vatican confirms Pope Leo’s surgery was successfulend of listHe is now able to “carry out normal daily activities with full independence”, his doctors said in a medical update on Friday.A blood test and chest X-ray earlier in the day confirmed his “steady improvement”, added the medical bulletin.The update came as the Vatican shared the first images of Leo since his surgery, showing him celebrating mass and standing unaided in the Rome hospital where he is recovering.The Vatican...