Pope tells faithful in Peter’s Square he will gradually resume duties after cancer surgery

Leo greets crowd after surgery

Pope Leo XIV appeared at a window overlooking St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, four days after surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung. Thousands gathered for the Angelus blessing, cheering as he showed himself.

Leo said the delicate phase was over and that he would gradually return to his activities, with God’s help and the faithful’s prayers. He also said the experience had brought him closer to people facing illness and thanked doctors, nurses and other staff at Gemelli hospital.

After pausing and waving to the crowd, the pope returned to his apartment in the Apostolic Palace. A delegation from Africa, in Rome for a congress, celebrated with dancing and ululation.

Diagnosis and treatment decisions

The 71-year-old pope’s Tuesday operation was the first major health event of his 17-month pontificate. It confirmed adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer. Tests of the tumor and related lymph nodes are underway. Doctors will use those results, including information about the tumor’s molecular and genetic makeup, to decide whether additional treatment is needed. Possible treatments include chemotherapy, chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy, or targeted oral therapy guided by the tumor’s genetic characteristics.

Faithful welcome his return

People in the square said they were relieved to see Leo after a week of concern. Alain Kalembu of the Democratic Republic of Congo said the pope had been in their prayers and that his appearance brought joy.

Marla Marsala of Michigan said she was glad to pray with the pope rather than for him, after a Mass she planned to attend was canceled during his hospitalization. Claire Holland, from Jacksonville, Florida, said she felt blessed to witness his return.

Leo had told a reporter in English that he was doing much better while leaving Gemelli hospital for the Vatican. His hospital stay was shorter than initially expected.

Latin America trip remains planned

His surgeon, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, told Vatican News that there were no clinical reasons the trip should not take place. He expected Leo to recover fully from surgery in about another 10 days.