Vatican: first public appearance of Pope Leo XIV after his operation

Italy Pope Leo XIV thanked the thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square for their prayers and support during his hospitalization on Sunday. Having undergone surgery on Tuesday to remove a malignant tumor from his right lung, the pontiff announced that he intended to gradually resume his usual activities. The pope's appearance at the window of the Apostolic Palace was met with the cheers of the crowd. A week earlier, during the traditional Angelus prayer, he had revealed that a nodule had been detected in his lung and that surgery was necessary. "Now that this delicate phase is behind me, I will gradually resume my activities, still with God's help and your prayers," declared Leo XIV, whose voice seemed firm, four days after his operation. A message of solidarity to the sick The pontiff also confided that this personal ordeal had strengthened his closeness with people facing illness. "This experience last week made me feel particularly close to those who are facing illness and disability," he stated. The pope assured that he had fully felt the support of the faithful and expressed his gratitude to the medical teams that took care of him at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome. He particularly expressed "special gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and all the staff" of the institution. After greeting the crowd for a few moments, the pontiff returned to his apartments in the Apostolic Palace. Surgery to remove a cancerous tumor aged 71, Leo XIV underwent a procedure on Tuesday to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. This is the first major health issue made public since the beginning of his pontificate, seventeen months ago. The operation confirmed the presence of an adenocarcinoma, a form of cancer that represents the most frequently diagnosed type of lung cancer. Doctors are currently continuing histological analyses of the tumor and the affected lymph nodes. Further examinations, particularly concerning the molecular and genetic characteristics of the cancer cells, must determine whether additional treatment is necessary. Several therapeutic options are being considered, including chemotherapy, a combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, or targeted oral treatment depending on the genetic characteristics of the tumor. At this stage, the medical strategy will depend on the final results of the analyses. An international trip in preparation Despite this operation, the pope intends to gradually resume his commitments, subject to the evolution of his health and the recommendations of his medical team. His next major international trip is scheduled from November 6th to 17th, with stops in Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru. This trip, which must include a dozen flights and two high-altitude helicopter journeys, represents a significant logistical and physical challenge for the pontiff during his convalescence. The resumption of his activities should therefore be done with caution, as the Vatican is still awaiting the medical results that will allow to specify the next steps in his care.