POPE LEO RETURNS TO THE SQUARE: A THANK-YOU THAT EMBRACES FAMILIES
Pope Leo XIV has returned to St Peter’s Square for his first general audience since surgery. He thanked people for their prayers and devoted his catechesis to family life and its social responsibility.
Think of that square, the space between the colonnade and the basilica, the wish to gather again. For those waiting to see the Pope, an appointment in the diary can hold much more than a date: affection, gratitude and a prayer carried in the heart.
Pope Leo XIV’s general audience took place this morning, 21 October 2026, at 10am in St Peter’s Square. The Pontiff met pilgrims and faithful, thanked them for the support of their prayers, and concluded with the Our Father and the Apostolic Blessing.
Returning to the square, one step at a time
It was his first general audience after the procedure at the Gemelli. Before the catechesis, the Pope travelled through the square in the popemobile, greeting the crowd and blessing children. Even in the rain, there were gestures of closeness.
Pope Leo began by thanking people for their prayers and renewing trust in God’s goodness and mercy. A thank-you to everyone who had kept him in their hearts from afar.
The catechesis: family life is also a social responsibility
Returning to the Council’s constitution Gaudium et spes, the Pope spoke of the family as a foundation of society and called on people with political and cultural responsibilities to promote marriage and family life. He entrusted the world’s families to the Holy Family of Nazareth.
The 27 October Assisi visit still needs verification
Today’s audience does not, by itself, confirm other engagements. For the visit scheduled in Assisi on 27 October, we are awaiting a specific communication from the Holy See and continuing to follow official channels.
Closeness knows how to respect time
Perhaps you know the wish to see someone you love return quickly to their usual routine. It is natural to look for a sign, a smile, a little reassurance. We can welcome that wish and still leave room for patience.
Affection can wait, too. Accompanying someone’s convalescence means recognising their need for rest and offering a discreet presence. That thought applies to the Pope and can also reach someone near us who is going through difficult days.
A gesture to carry into your day
Does someone recovering from illness come to mind? You could send a simple message: “I’m thinking of you. Is there anything I can do?” Then let that person tell you what they need.
Sometimes the kindest gift is to listen without filling every silence. At other times it means making yourself available for help you have agreed together. Prayer can accompany these gestures, bringing before God the name of someone dear to us.
CHIARA!’s prayer for Pope Leo and for those who are ill
Lord, we entrust Pope Leo and his recovery to you. Accompany everyone waiting to regain their strength today. Support those who give care and those who stay beside them, even when tiredness weighs heavily.
Teach us a patient closeness, able to listen and respect another person’s pace. Help us recognise goodness in small steps and turn our affection into presence. Amen.
Source: Vatican News – Italiano ↗
