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Pope Leo welcomed back as he delivers Angelus prayer days after lung cancer surgery

Pope Leo XIV made a remarkable return to the Vatican on Sunday, appearing before thousands of Catholic faithful in St. Peter's Square j...

Sunday, October 18, 2026

Pope Leo XIV made a remarkable return to the Vatican on Sunday, appearing before thousands of Catholic faithful in St. Peter's Square just five days after undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his lung.

The 71-year-old pontiff delivered his traditional Angelus prayer from a window overlooking the square, marking his first official engagement since being discharged Saturday from Rome's Gemelli hospital, where doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung.

Leo thanked the faithful for their prayers and support throughout his hospitalization, saying his recent health struggles had brought him closer to those suffering from illness. He also expressed gratitude to the doctors, nurses and hospital staff who cared for him following the operation.

POPE LEO XIV DISCHARGED FROM HOSPITAL, WILL RETURN TO VATICAN AFTER SURGERY TO REMOVE LUNG CANCER

The first American-born pope said he planned to gradually resume his regular activities with God's help and the continued prayers of the faithful.

During his Angelus address, Leo reflected on one of Jesus' best-known teachings, "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's," urging Christians to live with integrity and resist hypocrisy.

His return came sooner than expected after doctors initially anticipated a hospital stay of approximately one week following Tuesday's surgery.

As he departed the hospital on Saturday, the pope told a reporter in English that he was doing "much better."

Claire Holland, visiting from Jacksonville, Fla., told The Associated Press she felt "very blessed" to witness the pope's return.

"I think there have been millions and millions of prayers. And he is a strong determined man, and I am so happy that he is feeling well enough to do this," Holland said.

POPE LEO UNDERGOES BLOOD TESTS, X-RAY FOLLOWING CANCER SURGERY, VATICAN SAYS

The surgery marked the first major health crisis of Leo's 17-month pontificate. Doctors confirmed that the tumor was adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer.

Doctors are conducting further testing on the tumor and surrounding lymph nodes to determine the extent of the disease and whether additional treatment, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapy, may be necessary.

The pope is scheduled to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from Nov. 6 through Nov. 17, a demanding itinerary that includes a dozen flights and two helicopter rides to high-altitude destinations.

His surgeon, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, told Vatican News on Saturday that the pope appears well enough to go on the trip.

"The Holy Father has put his heart and soul into his recovery," Margaritora said, adding that he expected Leo to recover fully from the surgery "in another 10 days or so."

"As for a long trip involving air travel in about three weeks, I would say there are no clinical reasons why it should not take place," Margaritora said.

Fox News’ Courtney Walsh and The Associated Press contributed to this report.



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Following the sanctioning of foreign Muslim Brotherhood groups by the Trump administration, the European Parliament recently took its own action against the transnational radical Islamist group.

As Europe begins to respond to the threat of radical Islam across the continent, an overwhelming majority of the European Parliament voted for a resolution that condemned the Muslim Brotherhood and its actions.

European Parliament member Céline Imart of France, who sponsored the resolution, called the vote "a historic victory because it is a European first. For the first time, Europe has voted on a text that tackles Islamist entryism and the Muslim Brotherhood."

EUROPE’S LEFT COURTS MUSLIM VOTERS AS ANTI-ISRAEL POLITICS RESHAPE CONTINENT

Imart posted on X that she had "broken a taboo that Europe has been dragging around like a chain: this victory signifies a major doctrinal shift in the institutions… We were able to transcend partisan divides on a major issue for our societies and our youth."

Lorenzo Vidino, director of the program on extremism at George Washington University, told Fox News Digital that, "This is something that the French and the Austrian governments have been pushing for almost a decade," noting a growing consensus across Europe that wants action.

The resolution was led by the European People’s Party, or EPP, a center-right coalition that is the largest group in the European Parliament. "The voting does reflect a gap between the right and the left," said Vidino, "with the right voting almost entirely in favor of the resolution, and a good part of the left, although with some notable exceptions, voting against it."

As part of her post on X, Imart made it a point to thank "the negotiators from the other groups with whom I had the pleasure of working - excluding the socialists and the far left, who boycotted the text."

Vidino said, "The Brotherhood remains something that is seen through the political lenses of our own political debates, where it shouldn't be... because it's a challenge to our societies."

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A press release on the resolution issued by the European Parliament's news website stated that Islamist entryism targets "democratic institutions, the rule of law, equality between women and men and fundamental freedoms." It stressed that Muslim citizens must be protected from discrimination as "a democratic obligation," while "warning against treating organized Islamist networks as representative interlocutors."

The release also stated, "While Europe must remain free, open and faithful to its principles, it can ‘no longer fund, consult or legitimize networks that use its language, procedures and funding to weaken its values from within,’" but "MEPs stress that anti-discrimination policies must not be used to shield Islam from criticism or legitimize organized Islamist networks."

The resolution was slammed by ENAR, a pan-European anti-racism network, which released a statement following its passage. "ENAR condemns in the strongest possible terms the racist and Islamophobic resolution "on the need for an EU strategy to counter Islamist entryism and the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood network" proposed by the European People’s Party (EPP) and passed by the European Parliament today, including its targeting of ENAR and its members like FEMYSO through sham allegations and falsehoods seeking to associate our network with the Muslim Brotherhood. ENAR categorically rejects these claims."

It added in part, "This resolution is a stain on the European Parliament and marks a profoundly shameful day in Europe’s history. A Parliament that should defend democracy, equality and fundamental rights has instead given institutional legitimacy to a racist politics of suspicion that casts Muslim communities, Muslim-led civil society, organizations combating Islamophobia, and those who defend their rights as inherently suspect." 

Edmund Fitton-Brown, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), told Fox News Digital "This resolution is where the pushback begins against Islamist entryism in Europe. It is admirably clearly worded. The task of converting it into binding legislation begins now and will be difficult."

The former UK ambassador to Yemen, Fitton-Brown added, "Europe regularly imagines that "legal", "non-violent" Islamism is in conflict with, and a potential antidote to, violent Islamist terrorism. It is not, it is a gateway to it, it creates the climate for it, and the two are pursuing the same goals, only via different tactics."

He added, "Europe fails to prioritize subversion as a threat, whereas during the Cold War it understood that threat and took serious measures to counter it. Europe also seeks to appease Islamist entryism by adopting hostile policies towards Israel, and sometimes by passing blasphemy-adjacent and anti-"Islamophobia" laws, thinking they are protecting the Muslim community. In fact, the main victims of these laws are liberal Muslims trying to escape the confines of their community and enjoy Western freedoms."

Asked about the differences between Europe and the U.S. approach to the Brotherhood, Vidino said the European way is "a bit more nuanced" than that of the U.S., where the Trump administration has designated the Muslim Brotherhood and 4 of its branches as terrorist organizations. He says Europe sees the Muslim Brotherhood "mostly through the lenses of entryism, of subversion, of a group that destroys the fabrics of society… a matter of a threat to democracy, but a lot of the activities of the Brotherhood might be legal if taken individually."

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While noting that numerous security services across Europe have been warning about the Muslim Brotherhood for some time, Vidino says the resolution "sets the tone. It gives a political push," suggesting agencies and governments "might feel more legitimized in seeing the Brotherhood in negative ways."

"I'm a bit skeptical on whether this resolution would have a major tangible impact," Vidino added. "Islamist groups are very good at camouflaging their activities." While there is "no organization that calls itself Muslim Brotherhood in Europe," he said if and when funding is pulled from an Islamist organization by the EU, "They will make a fuss… They fight back. They have an ability to also leverage what could be a crisis, but turn it to their advantage by playing the victim card and the Islamophobia card."

As part of the resolution, the European Council was asked to assess whether entities or individuals linked to the Muslim Brotherhood should be added to the EU list of terrorist organizations. It called for full traceability of EU funding and a European Commission overview of EU funds awarded to people or entities suspected of links to the Muslim Brotherhood or political Islam. 

It also welcomed initiatives by member states to draw up national lists of hate preachers and calls for the establishment of such a list at EU level, while also calling for stronger scrutiny of foreign funding and transnational partnerships, particularly involving actors linked to Qatar or Turkey and greater use of Schengen tools and EU databases.

"This vote is a victory, but it is also a starting point," Imart said. "The Commission and the Council must now take action, and I will make sure they do."



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Saturday, October 17, 2026

Canadian officials confirmed fatalities and injuries following a serious incident that sparked a major fire at one of the country's busiest military bases Saturday.

Canadian Defense Minister David McGuinty confirmed the incident at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta, a major Army training installation.

He did not immediately specify how many people were killed or injured.

"I’m saddened to share that there have been both fatalities and injuries as a result of an incident on the base," McGuinty told reporters.

AT LEAST 1 KILLED, 34 FIREFIGHTERS AND EMS WORKERS INJURED IN 'MAJOR' STATEN ISLAND SHIPYARD EXPLOSION: FDNY

McGuinty said the fire was still burning Saturday evening.

"I cannot recall an incident like this in recent memory," he added.

The municipality of Wainwright said the fire had spread beyond the military base's perimeter into the surrounding area.

FAST-MOVING SANDY FIRE BURNS HUNDREDS OF ACRES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, FORCING EVACUATIONS IN SIMI VALLEY AREA

However, local officials said no evacuation orders had been issued.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the incident in a post on X.

"A serious incident creating a major fire has occurred at CFB Wainwright, in Alberta," Carney wrote. "Our thoughts are with all the brave women and men affected."

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith described the incident in a post on X as a "significant and tragic fire" that affected military personnel at the base.

The Canadian Armed Forces, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and local emergency personnel were responding to the incident, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).

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"The Canadian Armed Forces, the Department of National Defence, partners across the federal government, including public safety, are working with the government of Alberta and municipal governments to mobilize all necessary support," McGuinty said.

Canadian Forces Base Wainwright is located roughly 130 miles east of Edmonton and had approximately 1,310 military and civilian personnel stationed there in 2021, according to census figures cited by Reuters.

The nearby town of Wainwright has a population of approximately 6,600.

It was not immediately clear what caused the incident.

Reuters contributed to this report.



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A historic building in the French town of Limoges, about three hours south of Paris, has been "largely lost" after it was set on fire by rioters as demonstrations continue across France.

The Limoges Town Hall was built in 1883, and was made a historic landmark in 1975.

"The roof has collapsed onto lower floors, except the west wing, and two-thirds of the exterior has already disappeared," the local prefect, Maurice Barate, told the AFP news agency.

MASSIVE FIRE DESTROYS 400-YEAR-OLD FOOD MARKET, LEAVING HISTORIC LANDMARK IN RUINS

Barate called it "a deliberate act by hooligans," adding that it was a "catastrophe for heritage." 

The destruction came as far-left anti-government protests and violent clashes entered their fourth week in the European country over the cost of living.

On Saturday, outgoing President Emmanuel Macron wrote on social media: "There is no place for violence in our republic."

FRANCE EXPLODES AGAIN AS STUDENTS RIOT OVER EDUCATION

"Those who have broken, attacked the prefectures as well as businesses, looted even our town halls, will be prosecuted and punished," he added translated from French. "To the law enforcement forces, guarantors of the right to demonstrate, I express the support of the Nation. We will all stand united against the sowers of chaos, who seek only to bring down our institutions and prevent those who peacefully express their demands from doing so."

Macron leaves office in six months.

GRETA THUNBERG JOINS MASSIVE FRENCH STUDENT PROTESTS AS CARS BURN, POLICE FIRE TEAR GAS

Around 400 people were arrested on Saturday, according to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, as more than a half million people took part in more than 100 marches across the country.

Masked groups also attempted to break into city halls in Lille and Calais and a police station in Brest, the interior minister reported, along with violence in Rennes, Toulouse, Montpellier and Grenoble, among other cities.

BEHIND FRANCE'S STUDENT RIOTS: COMMUNISTS, UNIONS AND A GLOBAL PROPAGANDA NETWORK

Nuñez blamed the unrest on "extremely violent, radical far-left groups."

While many of the protests were without violence, many have descended into riots. Police used tear gas and water cannons on Saturday to disperse violent groups in Paris, where people wearing hoods and masks threw fireworks and other objects at officers in the Place de la République.



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The "vast majority" of Iran's attempted attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz are "unsuccessful" as the key waterway remains open for transit, U.S. Central Command Spokesperson U.S. Navy Capt. Tim Hawkins told Fox News Digital this week.

Hawkins spoke after CENTCOM said the GFS Pride, a Singapore-flagged, Cyprus-owned container ship was hit by an Iranian projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday and sunk while being towed ashore due to a fire on board the ship.

"The vast majority of Iran's attempted attacks on innocent civilian mariners transiting an international waterway, being the Strait of Hormuz, they are unsuccessful. As a matter of fact, the U.S. military has assisted in providing coordinated protection for thousands of ships that have safely transited," Hawkins said. "That translates to about 97% of the ships that have sought to transit the Strait of Hormuz have done so successfully without being hit by an Iranian projectile.

"But let's be clear here, what the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran is doing is unjustified and it's also unsuccessful because they are not achieving their objective of closing the Strait of Hormuz," he added. "It is open, it is available for transit, and we've seen that transit continue this very day."

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In an update Friday from CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper, he said, "In recent days and months, we have seen the IRGC continually attack merchant ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, and in many cases kill innocent civilian mariners.

"The International Maritime Organization reports that more than 20 civilian mariners have been killed by Iran's attacks against commercial shipping since February," Cooper continued.

"Over the last seven days alone, about 400 merchant ships have sailed through the Strait. U.S. forces have also assisted Gulf partners in shipping over 100 million barrels of crude oil during the same period, adding to the more than 1.3 billion barrels of crude we have helped regional allies ship through the Strait in recent months," he added.

Hawkins also told Fox News Digital that he thinks "every American should be proud of American service members who are serving across the Middle East, in particular focusing on doing two things at once as it relates to Iran.

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"And one is helping maintain flow through the Strait of Hormuz in the form of commercial vessels despite Iran's unjustified aggression," Hawkins said, noting that thousands of ships have crossed through the waterway over the last few months, "in addition to more than 1 billion barrels of crude oil.

"At the same time that they are encouraging traffic flow in support of international shipping, they are maintaining a steel wall blockade against Iran. There have been no exports or imports to Iran without U.S. permission in the form of allowing humanitarian ships to go through," Hawkins continued. "So that shows the precision, dedication, and professionalism of our troops who are executing this complex mission — not just one — but two at the same time."

More than 50,000 U.S. service members are currently stationed across the Middle East, according to Hawkins.

"They are highly vigilant, they are highly dedicated, and they're serving with courage and bravery. And they're doing so alongside our regional allies and partners. It shouldn't be forgotten that we continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Gulf allies and partners to help them defend their airspace from unjustified and unwarranted attacks from Iran, and we have been highly successful in working together, and will continue to do that," he said.

Fox News' Liz Friden contributed to this report.



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Pope Leo XIV will be discharged from Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Saturday following surgery to remove a cancerous node in his lung, according to a statement from the Holy See.

"Following the doctors’ assessment this morning, Pope Leo XIV will be discharged today from Gemelli Hospital, where he was hospitalized for surgery on his right lung," the statement read.

"He will leave the hospital in the early afternoon and return to the Vatican. Tomorrow, he will lead the Angelus prayer from the window of the papal apartment," the statement added.

The pope received blood tests and a chest X-ray Saturday, both of which confirmed he is well enough to return to the Vatican, according to Vatican News.

The pope will celebrate mass in a room on the 10th floor of Gemelli Hospital before returning to the Vatican, according to the Holy See press office.

DR MARC SIEGEL: POPE LEO'S LUNG SURGERY PUTS MODERN MEDICINE ALONGSIDE FAITH

Pope Leo underwent thoracic surgery to remove the node on Tuesday. Following the successful surgery, doctors diagnosed him with lung adenocarcinoma, a form of lung cancer.

"The Pope was in the operating room approximately three hours, while the operation itself lasted about 90 minutes. The doctors said it was successful and there were no complications," a statement from the Holy See press office read.

RECOVERING FROM LUNG SURGERY, POPE LEO URGES PUTIN TO AGREE TO CEASEFIRE IN RUSSIAN-HELD UKRAINE CITY

"Pope Leo awoke normally after surgery and, following a brief period of observation, returned to his room on the hospital’s 10th floor," Vatican News added in a statement.

While recovering, Pope Leo called Russian President Vladimir Putin and urged him to call for a ceasefire in the Ukrainian city of Oleshky.

POPE LEO XIV SEEN FOR FIRST TIME SINCE LUNG CANCER SURGERY AMID MAJOR RECOVERY MILESTONE

"During the conversation, the Holy Father expressed his deep concern about the grave humanitarian situation in the city of Oleshky, in the Kherson region, and called for a ceasefire to allow the delivery of food and medical assistance and the voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population," a statement from the Vatican read.

"Finally, the Holy Father reaffirmed the Holy See’s commitment to promoting dialogue and peace," the statement added.

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Russia has controlled the southern Ukrainian city since May and has not allowed any humanitarian food deliveries in the city. Oleshky also has no electricity, gas or running water, and the hospital is barely functional, according to previous Fox News Digital reporting.

Fox News Digital contacted the Holy See for further comment.

Fox News Digital's Brie Stimson contributed to this report.



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The founder of Christian human rights organization ChinaAid is raising concerns over the health of an imprisoned Chinese pastor who may be suffering from advanced liver cancer, as his family continues to face restrictions on visitation adn access to medical information.

Rev. Dr. Bob Fu, founder and president of ChinaAid, told Fox News in an interview that reports concerning Pastor Wang Yi's health are "very worrying," citing information received from multiple sources inside China.

Wang, the founding pastor of Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, has been imprisoned since December 2018 and is serving a nine-year sentence on charges of inciting subversion of state power and illegal business operations.

Although Fu believes that reports of advanced liver cancer are credible, he acknowledged that his organization has not been able to independently confirm the diagnosis.

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Fu said ChinaAid was "not able to really independently verify" the reports, citing restrictions on access to Wang and the absence of an independent medical examination.

The organization first publicly raised concerns about Wang's condition on Sept. 28, calling on Chinese authorities to provide his family with access to him and disclose information about his medical treatment.

During the interview, Fu revealed that authorities reportedly provided information by telephone about medical examination they claimed had been conducted on Oct. 1.

According to Fu, prison officials cited medical information indicating Wang was in good health. However, his family has not been permitted a new in-person visit to independently assess his condition.

Fu said that despite repeated letters from Wang's wife and relatives requesting access, "no meeting had been granted at all," since the latest health concerns emerged.

The pastor's church has also expressed uncertainty about his condition.

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In an Oct. 3 open letter, Early Rain Covenant Church acknowledged the reports but said it could not determine whether Wang had fallen ill. The church called on prison authorities to permit regular family visits, correspondence and telephone calls, as well as provide information about any necessary medical care.

According to the church, Wang's family has been permitted fewer than five visits during nearly eight years of imprisonment.

Fu likewise described severely restricted visitation, saying meetings have been brief and closely monitored by authorities. He alleged that discussions concerning Wang's health or religious beliefs have resulted in visits being abruptly terminated.

"Two years, not a single letter for his wife," Fu said, describing the restrictions on communication.

"That's not acceptable. That's even a violation of its own law."

Wang was arrested on Dec. 9, 2018, during a crackdown on Early Rain Covenant Church, an independent Protestant congregation operating outside China's state-regulated religious systems.

In December 2019, a Chinese court sentenced him to nine years in prison. The U.S. State Department condemned the conviction at the time, describing the prosecution as connected to Wang's peaceful advocacy for religious freedom and calling for his release.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom currently lists Wang as a religious prisoner of conscience and has documented reports of medical neglect.

Fu also raised concerns about the treatment of Wang's wife Jiang Rong, who was detained during the initial crackdown.

He said Jiang had previously been subjected to residential surveillance at a police-arranged location, rather than being allowed to remain in her own home, and described the lasting emotional consequences of her treatment.

Fu said he believes the severity of the reports warrants immediate action, particularly given the limited access to Wang.

He called on the Chinese authorities to permit Wang's wife, son and elderly parents to meet with him privately, allow an independent medical examination in the presence of legal counsel, and release his medical records, including information concerning medications administered during his imprisonment.

Fu also expressed concern about reports of mistreatment of other prisoners of conscience, including allegations of forced medication and serious physical and psychological harm. Those allegations were discussed as part of his broader concerns about the treatment of detainees in China, rather than as established evidence of what has happened to Wang.

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The ChinaAid president urged the Trump administration to raise Wang's case directly with Chinese officials during upcoming diplomatic engagements.

"I really want to see the Trump administration to continue to speak up forcefully," Fu told Fox News, calling for the names of individual prisoners of conscience to be included in high-level discussions.

He pointed to the July release of Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, who was reunited with his family after President Donald Trump raised his case with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a May visit to Beijing.

Fu believes that example demonstrates the potential importance of direct diplomatic intervention, although the circumstances of Jin's release do not establish that such pressure would produce the same result in Wang's case.

Trump and Xi are expected to attend upcoming international summits, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leader's meeting in Shenzhen, China, in November and the G-20 summit in Miami in December.

Fu urged U.S. leaders not to allow trade and security negotiations to overshadow concerns about religious freedom, human rights and the treatment of prisoners.

"I think it's time to hold them accountable," Fu said.

In a statement to Fox News, Chinese Embassy spokesperson Liu Chang said the embassy had no information to provide regarding Wang's specific case.

The spokesperson defended China's religious policies, saying the government protects freedom of religious belief under Chinese law and does not interfere in religious groups' internal affairs.

Liu added that China prohibits illegal activities carried out under the guise of religion and opposes foreign interference in its domestic affairs.

The embassy did not directly address questions about Wang's reported medical condition, family visitation or the possibility of an independent medical examination.

The U.S. State Department did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment by publication time.



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