Pope Leo leads Sunday prayers in first major public appearance since lung cancer surgery
Pope Leo XIV Returns to St. Peter’s Square After Lung Cancer Surgery
Qwenews.com – Pope Leo XIV appeared before thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, marking his first major public engagement since undergoing surgery for lung cancer. Speaking from the balcony of the Apostolic Palace, the 71-year-old pontiff used the traditional Angelus gathering to thank those who supported him and to reflect on the experience of illness.
The pope addressed pilgrims, visitors and Rome residents from the same location where, only one week earlier, he had announced that doctors had found a nodule on his lung and that an operation was necessary. His return drew applause and singing from the crowd below, while his voice was described as firm and strong as he wished those assembled a happy Sunday.
Leo said his time in treatment had deepened his connection with people facing serious health challenges. He thanked the medical team that cared for him, along with those who had prayed for his recovery, and said he would begin returning to his normal responsibilities gradually.
“This experience has given me a profound sense of closeness to all those who are going through illness or a state of infirmity,”
He also emphasized that his recovery would continue with faith and public support.
“Now that this delicate phase has passed, I will gradually resume my activities – always with the help of God and your prayers. Thank you once again,”
A Public Return During a Busy Morning in Rome
The Angelus took place as the Rome marathon passed through nearby streets. Thousands of runners had been moving along the broad approach to St. Peter’s Square before turning near the Apostolic Palace, the pope’s residence. At noon, attention shifted toward the palace window as Leo emerged to deliver his message.
The appearance offered a visible sign of recovery after a difficult week for the Vatican and for Catholics around the world. The pope left Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Saturday following surgery to remove a growth from his lung. Tests later identified the growth as adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer.
News of the diagnosis, disclosed on Tuesday, came as a surprise to many people within the Vatican and across the global Catholic community. Leo had been widely regarded as being in good physical condition before the discovery of the lung nodule.
His decision to speak publicly so soon after leaving hospital carried particular importance because the pope’s schedule involves demanding ceremonies, international travel and regular meetings with church leaders, diplomats and pilgrims. By saying he would return to work step by step, Leo signaled that his recovery remains the immediate priority while also reassuring the faithful that he intends to resume his papal duties.
Doctors See No Immediate Barrier to Latin America Trip
Doctors involved in the pope’s care have expressed optimism about his condition after surgery. Professor Stefano Margaritora, who operated on Leo, said there were no clinical reasons preventing the pontiff from taking part in a planned trip to Latin America from November 6 to November 17.
“I would say there are no clinical reasons why it should not take place,”
The journey is expected to include visits to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. Peru holds a personal place in Leo’s life: he spent a number of years there as a missionary and bishop. The itinerary includes Cusco, a city roughly 3,350 meters above sea level, where each breath provides about one-third less oxygen than at sea level.
That high-altitude stop gives added relevance to the medical assessment surrounding the trip. Recovering from lung surgery can make breathing capacity and physical exertion especially important considerations, while Cusco’s elevation presents a more challenging environment than Rome. The Vatican has not indicated that the itinerary will change, and the surgeon’s comments suggest the planned visit remains possible.
A Message Centered on Those Who Are Ill
Beyond the immediate questions surrounding travel and his schedule, Leo’s Sunday remarks focused on solidarity with people living through illness, weakness and uncertainty. His words placed personal suffering at the center of a public religious message, delivered from one of the Vatican’s most recognizable settings.
For those gathered in the square, the Angelus restored a familiar Sunday scene: the pope at the palace window, the crowd looking upward, and the sound of prayer and applause moving across St. Peter’s Square. But the occasion also had a more personal dimension. Just days after announcing surgery, Leo returned to thank those who had been concerned for him and to share how the experience had affected his perspective.
His recovery will remain closely watched as preparations continue for the November journey. For now, the pope’s appearance offered a carefully measured return to public life, combining gratitude, spiritual reflection and a promise to resume his work with the help of God and the prayers of the faithful.
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