Pope Leo XIV's first Angelus since the Gemelli: thanks for prayers, closeness to the sick and "a God who is not afraid of history"
Before about 15,000 faithful the Pope thanked those who prayed for him and said he will "gradually" resume his activities. His reflection on the Gospel and the 100th World Mission Day
Pope Leo XIV is back at the window. At noon today, the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, he appeared at the window of his study in the Vatican Apostolic Palace to pray the Angelus with the faithful and pilgrims in St Peter's Square: his first since his stay at the Gemelli Hospital. He thanked all those who prayed for him, spoke of his closeness to the sick and announced that he will "gradually" resume his activities.
The context: the return to the Vatican
Yesterday, Saturday 17 October, Pope Leo XIV left the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital and returned to the Vatican, after his lung surgery on Tuesday 13 October. In statement B0819 the Holy See Press Office had announced that the Pope would pray today's Angelus from the Apostolic Palace.
About 15,000 faithful in the square
"About 15,000 faithful" were in St Peter's Square "showing their closeness to the Pope", reports Vatican News (our translation), describing a square "packed with faithful" where "the affection for the Pope could be felt" (our translation). According to TV2000, a warm round of applause greeted the Pope's first words: "Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!"
His thanks and closeness to the sick
After the Marian prayer Pope Leo XIV said: "I would like to thank all those who have prayed for me in recent days. I have truly sensed your support. Thank you!" He added: "I wish to express my particular gratitude to the doctors, nurses and all the staff of the Gemelli Hospital." And a personal note: "This experience has made me feel particularly close to all those who are living with illness or infirmity."
A gradual return to his activities
"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 Pope said, before his final greeting: "Thank you once again. Thank you all! Have a good Sunday!" The Press Office has not yet announced the calendar of his next public engagements; the apostolic journey to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17 is still to be officially confirmed (our article).
The Gospel: "Give to the emperor" (Mt 22:15-21)
Commenting on the Gospel of the day, Pope Leo XIV noted that Jesus' response to the Pharisees "is astute, for it allows him to avoid the trap and exposes the hypocrisy of those who seek to put him to the test." He explained: "In Jesus, we contemplate a God who is not afraid of history but comes instead to dwell within it. His Kingdom does not abolish human roles and 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." He concluded: "this is precisely what it means to ‘give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s’: to be truthful, free from servile fear or hypocrisy, free to do good. Let us pray to the Lord to help us live in this way."
The 100th World Mission Day
After the Angelus the Pope said: "Today we celebrate the 100th World Mission Day. Let us think of how much missionary history has unfolded over these one hundred years! 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’ (Mk 16:15)."
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Sources: Bulletin B0820, Italian · vatican.va, official English text · Vatican News, Italian
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Source: Sala Stampa della Santa Sede