VATICAN CITY, Oct 18 – Pope Leo XIV returned to the public eye on Sunday, thanking thousands of worshippers gathered in St. Peter’s Square for their prayers and support during his recent hospitalization for lung cancer surgery. The 71-year-old pontiff said he would gradually resume his usual responsibilities after doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung, marking a significant step in his recovery.
The crowd greeted the pope with loud cheers as he appeared at a window overlooking the Vatican square for the traditional Sunday Angelus blessing. His appearance came just four days after he was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where he underwent surgery to remove a malignant tumor. Speaking in a strong voice, Leo reassured the faithful that the most delicate stage of his treatment was behind him, although his return to a full schedule is expected to take place gradually.
“Now that this delicate phase is behind me, I will gradually resume my activities, always with God’s help and your prayers,” the pope said.
His message offered encouragement to Catholics who had followed updates about his condition throughout the week. It also provided an early indication of how he intends to balance his recovery with the demands of leading the Roman Catholic Church.
Pope Thanks Medical Staff and Supporters During First Public Appearance
During his address, Leo reflected on the experience of being hospitalized and said the illness had strengthened his connection with people dealing with medical conditions and physical difficulties.
The pope said the past week had made him feel particularly close to those experiencing sickness and infirmity. He also expressed gratitude to the thousands of people who had offered prayers for his recovery, saying he had genuinely felt their support throughout his time in hospital.
Leo reserved special thanks for the medical professionals who treated him at Gemelli hospital, acknowledging the doctors, nurses and other staff members who helped him through the operation and recovery.
After completing his remarks, the pontiff paused briefly and waved to the people gathered below before withdrawing into his apartment in the Apostolic Palace. His appearance was relatively short, but it was warmly received by the crowd, many of whom had traveled to the Vatican hoping to see him following the health scare.
Among those present were members of an African delegation visiting Rome for a congress. They celebrated the pope’s return with dancing and ululation after receiving his blessing.
Alain Kalembu, a member of the delegation from the Democratic Republic of Congo, said the group had continued praying for Leo during his hospitalization and was delighted to see him in person.
“He was always in our prayers when he was sick, and we are happy to see him today,” Kalembu said, describing the celebration as an expression of the group’s joy.
The pope’s appearance also drew particular interest from American visitors. Leo, who was born in the United States, became the first American to lead the Catholic Church when he was elected pontiff. His recovery has therefore attracted attention among Catholics in his home country as well as worshippers around the world.
Marla Marsala, a visitor from Michigan, had planned to attend a Mass with Leo the previous week, but the event was canceled because of his hospitalization. She said she was pleased that the faithful could pray alongside the pope again rather than simply praying for his recovery.
Marsala described the preceding week as difficult for people who care about the pontiff, adding that his appearance suggested he remained determined to overcome the illness and continue his work.
Claire Holland, who traveled from Jacksonville, Florida, also expressed relief at seeing Leo return to the public eye. She said she felt fortunate to be present for the occasion and credited the prayers offered by millions of people with providing encouragement during his recovery.
Other visitors were surprised by the speed of the pope’s return. Cosimo Mastrocinque, a retired factory worker visiting the Vatican from Italy’s southern Puglia region, said he had not expected Leo to appear publicly so soon after undergoing surgery.
His reaction reflected the wider sense of relief among worshippers who had been concerned about the pontiff’s health since the Vatican announced that a lung nodule required surgical removal.
Although the pope appeared well enough to address the crowd, his public appearance did not mean that his medical recovery was complete. Doctors are still assessing the tumor and determining whether further treatment will be necessary.
Cancer Test Results to Guide Recovery and Upcoming Vatican Schedule
Leo underwent surgery on Tuesday to remove the lower lobe of his right lung after doctors identified a nodule that required further examination. The procedure was the first major health event of his 17-month pontificate.
The operation confirmed that the tumor was an adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer. The diagnosis has made the next stage of his recovery particularly important, as doctors work to establish the precise characteristics of the tumor and whether additional medical intervention is needed.
Histological examinations of the removed tissue and associated lymph nodes were underway following the operation. Medical specialists are also examining the tumor’s molecular and genetic characteristics, which could help determine the most appropriate treatment plan.
Depending on the findings, possible options include chemotherapy, a combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, or targeted oral medication selected according to the tumor’s genetic profile. The results will help doctors assess the risk of further disease and decide whether surgery alone will be sufficient or additional treatment should be considered.
Leo left Gemelli hospital on Saturday and returned to the Vatican after a shorter stay than initially anticipated. As he departed, he told a reporter speaking English that he was feeling “much better.”
His early discharge and subsequent appearance in St. Peter’s Square have provided encouraging signs, but the Vatican has not indicated that all medical questions surrounding his diagnosis have been resolved.
Attention is also turning to the pope’s planned international visit scheduled for November 6 to 17. The ambitious journey is expected to take him to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, with a demanding itinerary involving approximately a dozen flights and two helicopter rides to destinations at high altitudes.
The trip would require sustained travel and a series of public engagements across several countries, making his physical recovery a key consideration for Vatican planners.
Dr. Stefano Margaritora, the surgeon who treated Leo, discussed the proposed journey in comments published by Vatican News on Saturday. He said there were no clinical reasons at that stage to prevent the trip from taking place.
Margaritora also said the pope had devoted considerable effort to his recovery and expected him to recover fully from the operation in approximately another 10 days. His assessment offered reassurance about the immediate surgical outlook, although the results of the ongoing cancer examinations remain important to decisions about the pontiff’s longer-term health and schedule.
The November visit would represent a major undertaking so soon after surgery. Its final arrangements will depend on the pope’s continued progress and the medical team’s assessment of his ability to manage the travel and associated activities.
For now, Leo’s message to the faithful has been one of gratitude and cautious determination. His appearance in St. Peter’s Square allowed him to acknowledge the concern surrounding his health while signaling his intention to return to the responsibilities of the papacy.