VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV thanked thousands of worshipers in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday for their prayers while he was hospitalized for an operation to remove a malignant tumor, and said he planned to gradually return to his usual duties.
The crowd burst into joy when the pontiff appeared at the window overlooking the square, where a week ago, on the occasion of the traditional blessing of the Angelus, he revealed that a nodule had been located on his lung and would be surgically removed.
“Now that this delicate phase is behind me, I will gradually resume my activities, always with the help of God and your prayers,” Leo said, his voice strong four days after the lower lobe of his right lung was removed.
The pontiff said last week’s experience “allowed me to feel particularly close to those who face illness and infirmity.” He told worshipers he had “truly felt your support” and expressed “special gratitude to the doctors, nurses and all the staff at Gemelli Hospital” where he was treated.
The pope stopped for a moment and greeted the crowd before retiring to his apartment in the Apostolic Palace.
An African delegation in Rome for a congress danced and booed after the pope’s blessing.
“He was always in our prayers when he was sick and we are happy to see him today,” said Alain Kalembu of the Democratic Republic of Congo. “It’s an expression of our joy.”
The 71-year-old pontiff had the lower lobe of his right lung removed on Tuesday, the first major health event of his 17-month pontificate. The operation confirmed he had adenocarcinomathe most common type of lung cancer.
He told a reporter in English that he was “much better” as he left Rome’s Gemelli hospital to return to the Vatican, after a shorter hospital stay than initially expected.
“I don’t believe it, because he just had surgery the other day,” said Cosimo Mastrocinque, a retired factory worker visiting the Vatican from the southern Puglia region. “It’s a miracle that he has already recovered.”
American tourists were especially eager to pray alongside the first American-born pope. Marla Marsala, of Michigan, was supposed to attend a mass with the pope last week, which was canceled due to her hospitalization.
“I’m just happy that we’re praying with him today instead of praying for him like we did before,” Marsala said. “It’s been a difficult week for all the people who love him, of which there are many. He seems to be a very strong soul. So I think he will get through this and fight and succeed and continue to do the wonderful work that he does.”
Claire Holland, of Jacksonville, Florida, said she felt “very lucky” to be present for the pope’s return to his flock.
“I’m so happy that he recovered so quickly. I think there were millions and millions of prayers. And he’s a strong, determined man, and I’m so happy that he’s well enough to do this,” Holland said.
Leo’s next major commitment is an ambitious trip from November 6 to 17 to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, including a dozen flights and two high-altitude helicopter flights. His surgeon, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, told Vatican News on Saturday that “there is no clinical reason why this should not take place.”
“The Holy Father put all his heart and soul into his recovery,” Margaritora told Vatican News, adding that he expected the pope to fully recover from the operation “in about 10 days.”
Histological testing of the tumor and associated lymph nodes was ongoing. The results, along with details of the tumor’s molecular and genetic makeup, will help doctors determine whether Pope needs further treatment. Options include chemotherapy, a combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, or targeted oral therapy based on the genetic characteristics of the tumor.
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Associated Press religion coverage receives AP support collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
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