VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV thanked thousands of faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square on Sunday (Oct 18) for their prayers following his recent cancer surgery, saying he would gradually resume his duties as head of the Catholic Church.
The 71-year-old pontiff appeared at the window of the Apostolic Palace for his traditional midday Angelus prayer, marking his first public appearance since undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his right lung.
The crowd erupted in cheers as the Pope appeared, smiling and speaking in a firm, clear voice despite having undergone the operation just five days earlier.
“Now that this delicate phase is behind me, I will gradually resume my activities, always with God’s help and your prayers,” he told the crowd.
He also said the experience had brought him closer to people facing illness and physical difficulties, adding that he had genuinely felt the support of those praying for his recovery.
Surgery Removes Cancerous Tumour
Pope Leo underwent surgery on Oct 13 at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung after detecting a suspicious growth.
Tests confirmed that the tumour was an adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer. The procedure was reported to have gone well, and the Pope’s recovery progressed sufficiently for him to leave the hospital on Saturday (Oct 17), earlier than initially anticipated.
Before returning to the Vatican, he thanked the doctors, nurses and other hospital staff who had cared for him.
The operation was the first major health crisis of his 17-month pontificate. The Pope had disclosed the lung abnormality during his Angelus address the previous week, telling the faithful that doctors had recommended its surgical removal.
Further laboratory testing is being conducted on the tumour and nearby lymph nodes. The results will help doctors determine whether additional treatment, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted medication, is necessary.
Faithful Celebrate Pope’s Return
Around 15,000 people gathered in St Peter’s Square to welcome the Pope’s return, according to the Vatican.
Some pilgrims expressed relief at seeing him appear in public so soon after the operation. Others held signs expressing their affection and prayers for his recovery.
The Pope’s appearance also offered an opportunity to reassure Catholics around the world that he intended to resume his responsibilities, although the pace of his return will depend on his recovery.
The Vatican has cancelled several public engagements to allow him time to recuperate. It has not yet confirmed whether he will lead his next scheduled weekly general audience.
November Latin America Trip Remains on the Calendar
Pope Leo is scheduled to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from Nov 6 to 17. The ambitious trip includes numerous flights and helicopter journeys to high-altitude locations.
His lead surgeon, Stefano Margaritora, said there were no clinical reasons at present to prevent the trip from going ahead as planned. He estimated that the Pope could recover fully from the operation in approximately another 10 days.
However, the final decision will depend on the Pope’s progress and the results of further medical assessments.
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin has indicated that the Pope may need to adjust his schedule according to his health.
For now, Pope Leo’s return to St Peter’s Square marks an encouraging step in his recovery, while doctors continue evaluating whether further treatment will be required.
