Pope Leo XIV Delivers Angelus Prayer Days After Lung Cancer Surgery
The pontiff made his first public appearance since leaving the hospital following the removal of a cancerous tumor.
Pope Leo XIV returned to St. Peter's Square on Sunday to deliver his traditional Angelus prayer, appearing before thousands of Catholic faithful just five days after undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his lung. The 71-year-old pontiff, who had been discharged from Rome's Gemelli hospital on Saturday, marked his first official engagement since the procedure.
During his address from a window overlooking the square, Pope Leo XIV thanked the faithful for their prayers and support, stating that his recent health struggles had brought him closer to those who are suffering. He also expressed gratitude to the medical staff who cared for him. The pontiff, the first American-born pope, indicated his intention to gradually resume his regular activities with the help of God and the continued prayers of the faithful.
His return came sooner than anticipated, as doctors had initially expected a hospital stay of approximately one week following the surgery, which took place on Tuesday. Upon his departure from the hospital, the pope told a reporter in English that he was feeling "much better."
The surgery involved the removal of the lower lobe of his right lung. Doctors confirmed that the tumor was adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer. Further testing is being conducted on the tumor and surrounding lymph nodes to determine the extent of the disease and whether additional treatments, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy, might be necessary.
Despite his recent surgery, Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to proceed with a planned apostolic journey to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 6 to November 17. This itinerary includes multiple flights and helicopter rides to high-altitude locations. His surgeon, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, told Vatican News that the pope appears well enough for the trip, noting that there are no clinical reasons why the journey should not take place, and estimated a full recovery from the surgery within about 10 more days.