Pope Leo Makes First Public Appearance After Surgery

Pope Leo XIV made his first public appearance on Sunday since surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, where doctors found a cancerous adenocarcinoma, delivering the Angelus from the Apostolic Palace to crowds in St. Peter’s Square. He said he had passed the delicate phase of recovery, thanked hospital staff and those who prayed for him, and plans to resume his duties gradually. His hospital recovery has been progressing well, but further tests are needed to guide any additional cancer treatment. His surgeon said a full physical recovery may take about another ten days and that there are no clinical reasons preventing Leo’s planned November trip to South America, though his recovery is ongoing.