Pope Leo XIV will remain at the Vatican this week as he continues recovering from lung surgery, the Holy See Press Office confirmed Monday, October 19. Despite temporarily limiting his activities, the Holy Father is expected to hold his weekly General Audience on Wednesday, October 21, in St. Peter’s Square.

The Pope underwent surgery for pulmonary adenocarcinoma at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on October 13. Following five days of hospitalization, he was discharged on Saturday, October 17, and returned to the Apostolic Palace to continue his recovery.

On Sunday, Pope Leo appeared at the window of the Apostolic Palace to greet approximately 15,000 faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square to welcome him home and offer their prayers and support.

Changes to the Pope’s Schedule

Although Wednesday’s General Audience has been confirmed, the Vatican has not yet announced whether the Holy Father will greet pilgrims from the popemobile, as he typically does.

Pope Leo will also forgo his customary Monday and Tuesday stay at Castel Gandolfo, remaining at the Vatican to rest. Dr. Stefano Margaritora, the surgeon who performed the operation, previously indicated that the Pope’s recovery would take approximately ten days.

Questions also remain about the Holy Father’s scheduled October 27 visit to Assisi, where he is expected to deliver closing remarks at Unarmed and Disarming Peace, an event organized by the Community of Sant’Egidio.

The gathering commemorates the 40th anniversary of the historic interreligious meeting for peace convened by Pope St. John Paul II in Assisi in 1986.

The Holy See Press Office is expected to provide additional information about Pope Leo’s health and upcoming engagements in the coming days.