Pope Leo XIV Thanks Supporters in First Public Message Since Lung Surgery

Lafayette, IN, October 14, 2026 —

Pope Leo XIV issued his first public message since undergoing surgery for lung cancer in Rome, thanking followers for their prayers and support. He also asked them to continue praying for him as he recovers from the removal of a cancerous mass from his lung.

The message is the first public communication from the pope since the surgery, according to the information provided. It does not specify when the operation took place or when the message was issued. The platform or setting in which he delivered it was also not identified.

The information provided describes the procedure as the removal of a cancerous mass from the pope’s lung. It does not give further medical details, including the type or stage of the cancer, the extent of the operation, or a projected recovery timeline. No additional information about his condition was included.

Leo’s message focused on acknowledging the prayers and support he had received and asking followers to continue praying during his recovery. The details available do not include a direct quotation from him, nor do they identify any other people who commented on his health.

Further specifics about the surgery and recovery were not provided in the summary of the announcement. The account establishes that the pope has undergone surgery to remove a cancerous lung mass and has now made a public appeal for continued prayers, but it offers no additional medical or scheduling information.

Story summarized from the original created by Jordan Gartner on www.wlfi.com, see more information here.

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