Pope Leo XIV Returns to Vatican Following Lung Surgery

Pope Leo XIV returned to the Vatican on Sunday to deliver the traditional Angelus blessing, his first official engagement since undergoing surgery to remove a lung tumor. The pontiff appeared in St. Peter's Square to address Catholic faithful gathered there.

Leo, 71, had the lower lobe of his right lung removed on Tuesday after an adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer, was diagnosed. He was released from Rome's Gemelli hospital on Saturday, four days after the surgery, and told a reporter he was feeling "much better."

Pilgrims expressed joy and relief at the pontiff's swift return. "I am just happy that we are praying with him today instead of for him, like we were before," said Marla Marsala of Michigan, who had a planned Mass with the pope canceled due to his hospitalization. Claire Holland of Jacksonville, Florida, described feeling "very blessed" to witness his return.

Despite the recent surgery, Leo's surgeon, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, told Vatican News on Saturday that there are "no clinical reasons" to prevent the pontiff from undertaking an upcoming trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from Nov. 6-17. Margaritora anticipates a full recovery within approximately ten days.

Further treatment decisions will depend on the results of histological testing of the tumor and nearby lymph nodes. These results will inform doctors on whether additional treatments, such as chemotherapy or targeted therapies, are necessary.