Pope Leo XIV makes his first public appearance after being operated on for lung cancer and there are "no clinical reasons" to prevent his trip to South America.

Pope Leo XIV makes his first public appearance after being operated on for lung cancer and there is "optimism" about his trip to Latin America - Author, Redaction - Author's title, BBC News World - Publication date - Reading time: 3 min Dressed in white and with a smile, Pope Leo XIV looked out of the window of his study, in the Vatican, to pronounce the Angelus and thank the prayers of the faithful for his health. This Sunday, from the Apostolic Palace, the pontiff made his first public appearance after he had been operated on. The Pope was diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing thoracic surgery on Tuesday to remove a nodule that had been detected a few days earlier, the Vatican reported. In the operation, which lasted 90 minutes and was carried out in the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, the lower lobe of the right lung was removed. On Saturday, the doctors discharged him after blood tests, chest X-rays, and other clinical evaluations. In the afternoon, the pontiff left the hospital walking, smiling and greeting those who had gathered outside the hospital. On Sunday, with a firm voice, Leo XIV addressed the thousands of faithful who were gathered in St. Peter's Square, as well as those who followed the broadcast from different countries, and thanked them for their prayers. "Having passed this delicate phase... I will now gradually resume my activities, always with the help of God and his prayers," he indicated. In the Angelus, the Pope recalled the Gospel of Matthew which presents one of Jesus' most famous teachings: "Give Caesar what is Caesar's and God what is God's." "An ideal patient" On Sunday, Vatican News published an interview with the surgeon Stefano Margaritora, who operated on Leo XIV. The doctor indicated that, in general, the Pope's health is "good". "The re-expansion of the lung after the intervention is following the usual timelines." For a complete recovery, about ten days will be needed, he said, and described the pontiff as "an ideal patient". When asked about the trip Leo XIV plans to make in Latin America, between November 6 and 17, Margaritora was optimistic. "After this type of intervention, I consider that a couple of weeks are needed to achieve a truly complete physical recovery. Therefore, since almost a week has already passed, in short, I believe the Pope will be fully recovered within another ten days," he said. "As for a long trip, with air travel, which will take place within approximately three weeks, I would say there are no clinical reasons why it cannot be made." Many of the thousands of faithful who were in St. Peter's Square were happy to see the Pope. Several shouted and applauded him. A Catholic nun knelt down and cried, according to the Reuters news agency. Very close to her, a group of other nuns held up a sign that read: "Our best wishes, Holy Father. We love you and are praying for you". - Download the new BBC World Service app. Choose BBC News World and receive news alerts, documentaries and analysis, all in one place. Important: the new application is not available in the United Kingdom or the United States. - You can also follow us on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X and on our WhatsApp channel. - And don't forget to subscribe here to our newsletter to receive a special selection of our best content every Friday.