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What happened
Pope Leo XIV left Rome's Gemelli hospital on Saturday, four days after surgery, and returned to the Vatican. Wanted in Rome reports that he told well-wishers he was feeling better and was due to lead the Angelus prayer at midday on Sunday. The 71-year-old walked out of the hospital's main entrance, the same way he went in on Tuesday.
Why it matters for a Rome trip
A papal appearance changes the flow around St Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums. When the Angelus is on, the square fills before midday, security checks slow entry, and the metro stops nearest the Vatican, Ottaviano and Cipro, get busy. If you have a Vatican Museums ticket for the same morning, leave extra time for the walk and the queues. Skip the idea of "just popping in" to the basilica at noon. Go early, or move the basilica to a weekday. If you are not set on seeing the pope, switch the basilica to another day. That is the simplest fix for a short break.
Do you need to change plans?
Not necessarily. The report does not mention any closure of the Vatican Museums or St Peter's Basilica, and it gives no revised Angelus time beyond midday Sunday. If your dates overlap a papal audience or Angelus, check the Vatican's official calendar before booking a timed entry. Times can shift around papal health and events, so treat any schedule as indicative. If you are in Rome for a short break, put the Vatican on a weekday morning and keep Sunday for the Pantheon, the Colosseum or a market.
Best tours and tickets in Rome
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Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour
Rome: Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Guided Tour
Rome 3 in 1 Cooking Class: Fettuccine, Ravioli & Tiramisu
Skip-the-Line Group Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica
Another option: tickets on Headout
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Combo: Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill + Vatican Museums + Pantheon Tickets
Frequently asked questions
Is St Peter's Basilica closed when Pope Leo XIV leads the Sunday Angelus?
What time is the Sunday Angelus at the Vatican in 2026?
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Read more →All prices and times on this page are ESTIMATES and change often. They are a starting point from an independent editor, never official or guaranteed figures. Always check the final price and the opening hours with the official venue or operator before you book or travel.
Rules, timetables, fares and passenger rights change, and this page is a summary, not an official source or legal advice. Check the official operator or authority before you book or travel, and treat anything critical to your trip as something to confirm, not to assume. Last reviewed: 2026-10-19.
