Pope Leo XIV addresses crowds in St. Peter's Square after surgery

Pope Leo XIV addressed thousands of believers gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday for his first weekly Angelus prayer following a surgical procedure to remove a cancerous tumor from his lung. The pontiff appeared from the window of the papal apartment, looking well and speaking naturally without difficulty.

The 71-year-old Pope thanked those who had prayed for him during his recovery. "After passing this delicate phase, as you know, I will now resume my activities gradually," he stated, amid cheers of "Long live the Pope!" from the crowd below.

Recovery timeline and hospital stay

Leo XIV was admitted to Gemelli Hospital in Rome, located north of Vatican City, on Tuesday to undergo the operation. He returned to the Vatican on Saturday after his doctors determined he was fit to leave the medical facility.

The Pope had personally informed the public in St. Peter’s Square on October 11 that he would undergo surgery in the coming days. He explained that doctors identified the tumor at a very early stage and considered surgical intervention the most appropriate option.