Pope Leo XIV Thanks Faithful After Surgery

VATICAN CITY (AP) – Pope Leo XIV expressed his gratitude to the thousands of supporters in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, thanking them for their prayers during his recent hospitalization for surgery to remove a malignant tumor. He indicated his intention to gradually resume his regular activities.

Cheers filled the square as the pope appeared at the window overlooking the crowd. Just a week earlier, during the traditional Angelus blessing, he had disclosed that a nodule was found on his lung and that surgery was necessary to remove it.

“Now that this delicate phase is behind me, I will gradually resume my activities, always with God’s help and your prayers,” Leo stated, sounding robust just four days after surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung.

Reflecting on his recent experience, the pope shared that it made him feel a deeper connection to those experiencing illness or hardships. He felt the support of the faithful and expressed special thanks to the doctors and staff at Gemelli hospital, where he received care.

After a brief moment to wave at the crowd, he returned to his apartment in the Apostolic Palace.

A group from Africa, who were in Rome for a congress, celebrated with dancing after the pope’s blessing.

“He was always in our prayers when he was sick, and we are happy to see him today,” shared Alain Kalembu of the Democratic Republic of Congo. “This is an expression of our joy.”

The 71-year-old pope underwent surgery on Tuesday, marking his first significant health issue during his 17-month tenure as pontiff. The operation confirmed he has adenocarcinoma, which is the most prevalent type of lung cancer.

As he left Rome’s Gemelli hospital to head back to the Vatican, the pope told a reporter in English that he was feeling “much better,” indicating a shorter hospital stay than expected.

“I don’t believe it, because he was just operated on the other day,” commented Cosimo Mastrocinque, a retired factory worker visiting from Puglia. “It is a miracle that he has recovered so quickly.”

American tourists seemed particularly eager to pray alongside the pope, who is the first pontiff born in the United States. Marla Marsala from Michigan had planned to attend a Mass with him last week that had to be canceled due to his hospitalization.

“I am just happy that we are praying with him today instead of for him, like we were before,” Marsala said, reflecting on a tough week for many who care for the pope. She added, “He seems like a very strong soul. I think he will pull through and keep doing the wonderful work he is doing.”

Claire Holland from Jacksonville, Florida, expressed feeling “very blessed” to witness the pope’s return to his congregation.

“I’m so happy that he has recovered so quickly. I think there have been millions of prayers. He is a strong, determined man, and I am so glad he is feeling well enough for this,” Holland noted.

The pope’s next significant engagement is an ambitious trip from November 6-17 to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, which will involve several flights and two helicopter rides to high altitudes. His surgeon, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, mentioned that there are no clinical reasons preventing this trip from occurring.

Margaritora also indicated he expects the pope to fully recover from the surgery within another ten days. Meanwhile, histological testing of the tumor and related lymph nodes is ongoing, and the results will help determine if the pope requires further treatment, which could include chemotherapy options.