Pope Leo urges immediate cease-fire in Yemen during post-surgery address

In a brief address from the balcony above St Peter’s Square, Pope Leo called for an immediate cessation of violence in Yemen, drawing attention to the dire humanitarian conditions in the southwestern city of Taiz, where residents suffer from shortages of food, water and medical care. He expressed solidarity with those killed and injured in a terrorist attack on the Hamoud church in Jordan, noting his close ties to the Orthodox community.

The pope also urged the faithful to pray for an interreligious gathering scheduled in Assisi, which he will miss on doctors' recommendation following his recent lung operation. The surgery on his right lung’s lower lobe, performed on October 13 to remove a small growth diagnosed as adenocarcinoma, was described as successful with no further therapy needed. His public appearance marked his first since the operation, signaling a swift return to duties. The Vatican emphasized his continued concern for peace across the region.