On Sunday, Pope Leo XIV appeared before an estimated 15,000 Catholic faithful in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, marking his first major public appearance since his lung cancer surgery. From the window overlooking the square, the Pope thanked those present and pledged to gradually resume his duties.
"Now that this difficult period has passed, I will gradually resume my activities, always with the help of God and your prayers," the 71-year-old Pope Leo XIV told the crowd.
It was his first public appearance since he disclosed the previous Sunday, also during the traditional Angelus, that a tumor had been found in his lung and would be surgically removed. The operation subsequently confirmed that he had adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer. Test results to determine whether the cancer has spread are still pending.
The Pope said the experience of the past week "has made me feel especially close to those facing illness and frailty." He told the crowd that he had "truly felt your support" and expressed "particular gratitude to the doctors, nurses and all the staff of Gemelli Hospital" in Rome, where he was treated.
The Pope paused briefly, waved, and then returned to his apartment in the Apostolic Palace.
A delegation from Africa, in Rome for a Catholic gathering, danced and cheered after the Pope's blessing. "He was always in our prayers when he was ill, and we are very happy to see him today," said Alain Kalembu of the Democratic Republic of Congo. "This is how we show our joy."
Meanwhile, Claire Holland of Jacksonville, Florida, in the United States, said she felt "very fortunate" to be present to witness the Pope's return to his flock.
There had been doubts about whether the Pope's planned trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru in November would go ahead. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin told reporters on Friday that the Pope might need to adjust the pace of his schedule "depending on his health." However, the Pope's surgeon, Stefano Margaritora, told Vatican News that he believed there was "no clinical reason why the trip cannot proceed."
Latin Americans present in St. Peter's Square welcomed the news. "We all hope he recovers and has come through this well. We know he is fine, and we are very happy," said Soledad Espinosa of Ecuador.
