Pope Leo thanks crowds at first Sunday prayers after lung cancer surgery
Pope Leo has led his first Sunday prayers since surgery to remove a cancerous lung growth, thanking crowds in St Peter's Square and saying he will resume his duties gradually.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Pope Leo returned to the window overlooking St Peter's Square on Sunday to lead his first prayers since surgery for lung cancer. He received cheers from a packed crowd after a week of uncertainty about his health.
The 71-year-old delivered the traditional Angelus blessing and thanked pilgrims for their support. He said: "I wish to thank all those who have prayed for me over these past few days. I have truly felt your support, thank you." He added that the delicate phase had passed and that he would gradually resume his activities with the help of God and their prayers.
He left hospital the day before, four days after an operation to remove a lobe from his lung. Exactly a week earlier, he had appeared at the same window to tell the world about a lump found on his lung. It was later confirmed to be cancerous.
Doctors said they were pleased with his progress and saw no clinical reason why he could not make a trip to South America planned for next month. There are still unknowns about the long-term diagnosis and whether the cancer has spread elsewhere.
People from around the world gathered in the square. Among them were Father Richard, who leads the English College, and Harry, a first-year trainee priest, who had also been present the previous Sunday. One of those present said they had not expected the Pope back so soon and described his appearance as a testament to his character and health. They also hoped friends would encourage him to take it easy and return gradually to his full programme.
The mood in the square was one of relief and gratitude after a nervy week.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, grouped by how many channels reported each one. Select a dot to see the source excerpt.
| Claim |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Widely reported · 3 or more of 4 channels | ||||
| Pope Leo led his first Sunday prayers and Angelus blessing at St Peter's Square after surgery, thanked people who had prayed for him, and said he would gradually continue his commitments while recovering; BBC News had earlier reported he was expected to make the appearance. | ||||
| Pope Leo was discharged from Gemelli Hospital four days after surgery without assistance. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Reported by BBC One | ||
| Reported by a few · 2 channels | ||||
| Doctors were pleased with Pope Leo's progress and saw no clinical reason why a planned South America trip could not go ahead; reports differed on timing, with the coming weeks or next month mentioned. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by ITV | ||
| Tests were still checking whether the cancer had spread, while the prognosis and further treatment remained unknown. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Reported by BBC News | Not reported by ITV | |
| Only on one channel | ||||
| People said they were not expecting Pope Leo to return so soon. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by ITV | |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
ITV News gave the story a short, factual slot in a wider bulletin. It focused on the Pope's age, the Angelus blessing, the cheers in St Peter's Square and the timing of his discharge. It did not include his thanks to pilgrims, the cancer prognosis or the planned South America trip.
- “Pope Leo has led his first Sunday prayers at the Vatican since having surgery for lung cancer.”
- “Well crowds who were gathered in St Peter's Square cheered as the 71-year-old delivered the traditional Angelus blessing.”
- “He left hospital yesterday, four days after the operation.”
BBC News carried the fullest account, using a Vatican report with colour from St Peter's Square and medical context. It led on the Pope's thanks, his gradual return to work and the uncertainty over whether the cancer has spread. It also reported that doctors saw no clinical reason to stop a planned South America trip next month.
- “I wish to thank all those who have prayed for me over these past few days. I have truly felt your support, thank you.”
- “Pope Leo said he would gradually continue to fulfil his commitments as he continues to recover.”
- “There are still unknowns about the long-term diagnosis and whether the cancer's spread elsewhere.”
This bulletin used the same Vatican package but added a direct quote in which the Pope said the delicate phase had passed. It kept the focus on his thanks, gradual return and the unresolved long-term diagnosis. The Pope item sat inside a wider bulletin with unrelated Russia and Green Party stories.
- “The Pope has addressed thousands of people in St Peter's Square in Rome and thanked everyone who prayed for him the day after he was discharged from hospital following lung cancer surgery.”
- “Now that this delicate phase has passed as you know I will gradually resume my activities always with the help of God and your prayers.”
- “There are still unknowns about the long-term diagnosis and whether the cancer spread elsewhere”
5 News Weekend gave the story a brief final item in a compact bulletin. It focused on the cheers, the Pope's age, the timing of his appearance and his plan to return to duties gradually. It did not cover his direct thanks in detail, the cancer prognosis or the South America trip.
- “And finally, Pope Leo has thanked the crowds in St Peter's Square for their prayers after lung surgery earlier this week.”
- “Cheers rang out as the 71 year old appeared at the window for his Sunday blessing four days after having a cancerous growth removed.”
- “He says he'll gradually return to his duties.”
This late bulletin ran a shortened version of the Vatican package. It focused on the Pope's thanks to thousands in St Peter's Square, the surprise at his quick return and the unknown long-term diagnosis. It then moved straight to football.
- “The Pope has addressed thousands of people in St. Peter's Square in Rome The day after he was discharged from hospital following lung cancer surgery”
- “We weren't expecting him back so soon really”
- “There are still unknowns about the long-term diagnosis and whether the cancer spread elsewhere”
Who was on air
People and organisations each channel put on air while covering this story. Channels' own presenters and reporters are not listed. Names as transcribed, and the list can miss people.
- 16:23 BST
- 16:24 BST
Father Richard, leads the English college here
BBC News · Sun 18 Oct
- 17:23 BST
- 17:24 BST
Father Richard, leads the English College here
BBC News · Sun 18 Oct - 22:24 BST
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.