🕛 VATICAN REPORT | Sunday 18 October 2026 midday

🙏 The first Angelus after Gemelli At noon Pope Leo XIV appeared at the window of his study in the Apostolic Palace to pray the Angelus with the faithful in St Peter's Square, the day after returning to the Vatican. According to Vatican News, about 15,000 people were there. Afterwards the Pope 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 expressed his "particular gratitude to the doctors, nurses and all the staff of the Gemelli Hospital." 🩺 Close to the sick, a gradual return The experience, Pope Leo XIV said, "has made me feel particularly close to all those who are living with illness or infirmity." And looking ahead: "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." 📖 "Render to Caesar" Commenting on the Gospel (Mt 22:15-21), Pope Leo XIV said that "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," but "does, however, call us to live without compromise, free from selfish ambitions and unjust motives." To "give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s" means "to be truthful, free from servile fear or hypocrisy, free to do good." 🌍 100th World Mission Day After the prayer Pope Leo XIV's appeal was for mission: "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.’" 📌 To watch • How and when the Pope's activities will resume: any indications from the Press Office on his schedule • The November trip: no official confirmation, though the surgeon Margaritora said there are no clinical reasons against it • Any further Press Office bulletins this afternoon #LeoXIV #Vatican