Rome
Pope Leo XIV made his first major public appearance since his lung cancer operation, saying the experience had brought him closer to all those who suffer., from the same place in the Vatican, he announced a week ago that he needed an operation.
The 71-year-old pontiff led the Sunday Angelus from the balcony of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter’s Square, where thousands gathered to applaud, sing and hear his message.
Leo thanked doctors for his treatment and for all those who prayed for him, adding that he is gradually returning to his duties as pope.
“This experience gave me a deep sense of closeness to all those going through an illness or infirmity,” he told the audience.
“Now that this delicate phase is over, I will gradually resume my activities – always with the help of God and your prayers. Thank you again,” he added.
The pope’s remarks came as thousands of runners participating in the Rome Marathon jogged down the main pathway leading to St. Peter’s Square, passing to the right past the papal residence of the Apostolic Palace.
But at noon, all eyes were on Leo XIV when he appeared at the window of his house to address the crowd, wishing them a good Sunday in a strong and firm voice.
The pope was released from Gemelli Hospital on Saturday after lung surgery to remove a tumor that was later diagnosed as adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer.
Doctors say he has recovered well after his operation, even saying he can travel to Latin America which will take place from November 6 to 17.
“I would say that there is no clinical reason why this should not take place,” Professor Stefano Margaritora, who operated on the pontiff, told Vatican news.
Last Sunday, the pope announced to everyone’s surprise that a “nodule” had been discovered on his lung and that he was going to be operated on. News of the cancer diagnosis Tuesday shocked people in the Vatican and across the Catholic world, given that the pope was known to be in good physical shape.
The Pope’s visit to Latin America includes Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. Léon was a missionary and bishop in Peru for several years. His itinerary includes a stop in Cusco, about 3,350 meters above sea level, where there is about a third less oxygen per breath compared to sea level.
Sharon Braithwaite and Barbie Latza Nadeau contributed reporting.
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