Pope Leo returns to Vatican, thanks faithful and urges Christians to live without compromise

Just a few days after undergoing lung cancer surgery, Pope Leo XIV returned to the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace window Sunday and thanked the faithful for their prayers.

“I have truly sensed your support,” the Pontiff told thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the traditional Angelus prayer, according to the Vatican’s translation.

The appearance marked his first public address since undergoing surgery Oct. 13 at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital to remove the lower lobe of his right lung after doctors discovered a tumor subsequently confirmed as lung adenocarcinoma, according to a Vatican medical statement. The Pontiff was discharged Oct. 17.

In his remarks at the Angelus, Pope Leo expressed particular gratitude to his medical team and said his experience had brought him closer to others struggling with illness, Vatican News reported.

“Now that I have overcome this delicate phase, as you know, I will gradually resume my activities, always with God’s help and your prayers,” the Pontiff added.

Giving God what belongs to Him

Reflecting on Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 22:15–21), Pope Leo explored this statement Jesus made to the Pharisees: “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

The passage recounts an attempt to trap Jesus with a politically charged question about paying taxes to Caesar. Rather than accepting the false choice presented to him, Christ exposes the hypocrisy of his questioners and offers a deeper lesson about human responsibility and fidelity to God.

“In Jesus, we contemplate a God who is not afraid of history but comes instead to dwell within it,” Pope Leo explained.

Christ’s Kingdom, he continued, does not abolish earthly duties or responsibilities. 

“It does, however, call us to live without compromise, free from selfish ambitions and unjust motives, seeking above all the Kingdom of God and his righteousness,” the Pontiff remarked.

The Gospel instead calls believers “to be truthful, free from servile fear or hypocrisy, free to do good,” he said.

A century of Catholic mission

Oct. 18 also marked the 100th World Mission Sunday, established by Pope Pius XI in 1926 to strengthen prayer, missionary vocations and support for evangelization worldwide.

To commemorate the centenary, Pope Leo granted a plenary indulgence through the Apostolic Penitentiary, according to Vatican News. Catholics may obtain the indulgence under the usual conditions of sacramental confession, Holy Communion and prayer for the Pope’s intentions. The faithful are also invited to pray the Rosary in union with the Pope for the worldwide spread of the Gospel.

In the message the Vatican published in January for the centenary, the Pope stressed that missionary activity begins with a relationship with Jesus Christ and requires reconciled communities working together to share the Gospel.

“It is through the witness of a reconciled, fraternal and united community that the proclamation of the Gospel acquires its full communicative power,” the Pontiff remarked in his message this year, which has the theme “One in Christ, United in Mission.”

Recalling the century of missionary history, the Pope prayed in his Angelus message Oct. 18 that the Church would remain faithful to Christ’s command to spread the Good News.

“Let us think of how much missionary history has unfolded over these one hundred years!” Pope Leo said. “Let us pray that the Church may always remain faithful to the mandate of the Risen Lord: ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.’”