Leo XIV led his first general audience since lung surgery on Wednesday, October 21. In his greeting to Poles, he mentioned the “Psalms of Peace” concert, which will take place in Rome on Thursday.
The audience was held in St. Peter’s Square. The Holy See Press Office announced it on Monday, October 19, as Vatican News reported.
According to Polsat News, it was the pope’s second meeting with the faithful since leaving the hospital. Earlier, Leo XIV took part in the Sunday Angelus prayer.
What He Said to Poles
According to Polsat News, the pope said: “I warmly greet the Poles, especially the organizers and performers of the concert “Psalms of Peace”.” He added: “May this event foster efforts for peace and reconciliation.” At the end, he blessed everyone present.
The concert is being held to mark the 45th anniversary of the founding of the John Paul II Foundation in the Vatican. It is scheduled for Thursday, October 22, at 7:30 p.m. at the Auditorium Conciliazione in Rome. The date falls on the 48th anniversary of the start of John Paul II’s pontificate. On Monday, Vatican News also reported on a Mass in Rome marking the foundation’s jubilee, presided over by Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz.
The Surgery According to the Vatican
The pope announced the change in his lung on Sunday, October 11, after the Angelus prayer. Details were covered in our article on the announcement of Leo XIV’s lung surgery.
The procedure took place on Tuesday, October 13, at the Rome Policlinic Gemelli. As the Vatican Press Office stated, cited by Interia, it ended with a “success, in the expected time and according to plan”. The team of chest surgeons was led by Prof. Stefano Margaritora. According to the statement, the lower lobe of the right lung was removed using video-assisted surgery. An urgent histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, which had already been suspected after preoperative tests. The pope was in the operating room for about three hours, and the procedure itself lasted approximately 90 minutes.
On Saturday, October 17, Leo XIV was discharged from the hospital and returned to the Vatican. According to a statement cited by Polsat News, his recovery allows him to “carry out normal daily activities in full autonomy”. All public events involving him until October 20 had been cancelled beforehand, so Wednesday’s audience is his first since the procedure.
What It Means
For those wishing to see the pope, it is important to know that the traditional Wednesday general audiences are taking place on their usual schedule. Leo XIV’s presence in St. Peter’s Square shows that he has returned to public duties. Attendees of Thursday’s concert at the Auditorium Conciliazione may, meanwhile, expect the papal greeting to be recalled during the event. As of publication, the Vatican has not issued any new medical statements following Wednesday’s audience.
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