Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to hold his first general audience since lung cancer surgery on Oct. 21, as he gradually resumes activities during his recovery at the Vatican.
The Holy See’s calendar sets the gathering in St. Peter’s Square for 4 a.m. ET (08:00 UTC), or 10 a.m. Vatican City time.
In a medical statement issued by the Holy See Press Office, Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora said surgeons removed the lower lobe of Leo’s right lung on Oct. 13. An examination during the operation confirmed lung adenocarcinoma. The procedure took about 90 minutes and had no complications, the doctors said.
Leo led the Angelus prayer on Oct. 18, a day after his discharge from Gemelli Hospital. He said he would return to his activities gradually, with God’s help and the prayers of those gathered. Wednesday’s event will be his first general audience since the operation, though the Angelus had already brought him before the public.
The Holy See has also published an itinerary for Leo to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from Nov. 6-17.
