Pope Leo XIV to Hold Wednesday Audience as He Continues Recovery at the Vatican but Passes on Castel Gandolfo

Pope Leo XIV to Hold Wednesday Audience as Vatican Recovery Continues

VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV will remain at the Vatican this week to continue his post-operative recovery, skipping his routine trip to Castel Gandolfo while confirming he will hold his weekly General Audience on Wednesday, October 21.

The Holy See Press Office issued the health update on Monday following the Pontiff’s October 13 surgery for pulmonary adenocarcinoma. The Pope was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Saturday, October 17, after a five-day stay.

On Sunday, Pope Leo made his first public appearance since the procedure, greeting an emotional crowd of 15,000 faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square from the window of the Apostolic Palace.

Staying at the Vatican Rather than making his customary Monday-to-Tuesday visit to the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo will stay in the Apostolic Palace. Dr. Stefano Margaritora, the surgeon who performed the operation, told Vatican News on Saturday that the Pontiff's recovery period is expected to last around ten days.

General Audience Confirmed The Holy See confirmed that the Pope will hold his Wednesday General Audience in St. Peter’s Square as scheduled. However, officials have not yet specified whether he will make his traditional tour through the crowds in the popemobile.

Upcoming Schedule The Press Office is expected to provide further updates on the Pontiff’s upcoming schedule in the coming days. It remains unconfirmed whether he will attend his scheduled trip to Assisi on October 27 to conclude the "Unarmed and Disarming Peace" event, organized by the Sant'Egidio Community to mark the 40th anniversary of St. John Paul II's historic "Spirit of Assisi" gathering.

Pope Leo XIV Health Update: Wednesday Audience Confirmed During Vatican Recovery

• Current Status: Pope Leo XIV is continuing his post-operative recovery in the Apostolic Palace following successful surgery for pulmonary adenocarcinoma on October 13. He was discharged from Gemelli Hospital on October 17.

• Public Appearances: On Sunday, Oct. 18, the Pope greeted 15,000 well-wishers in St. Peter’s Square from his window. His Wednesday General Audience (Oct. 21) in St. Peter's Square is officially confirmed, though details regarding a popemobile tour remain unannounced.

• Travel Adjustments: The Pontiff will forgo his usual early-week stay at Castel Gandolfo to rest at the Vatican. His primary surgeon, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, estimates a total recovery timeline of about ten days.

• Pending Schedule: Further details on upcoming events—including a planned visit to Assisi on October 27 for the Sant'Egidio Community's peace event—will be released by the Holy See Press Office in the coming days.