Pope Leo Returns to Angelus Days After Lung Cancer Surgery

Pope Leo XIV returned to the Vatican in a dramatic show of resilience Sunday, appearing before thousands of Catholic worshippers in St. Peter’s Square only five days after surgeons removed a cancerous tumor from his lung.

The 71-year-old pontiff offered the traditional Angelus prayer from the window overlooking the square, his first public engagement since leaving Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Saturday. Doctors had removed the lower lobe of his right lung during Tuesday’s operation.

Leo thanked people around the world for praying and supporting him during his hospital stay. He said the experience had deepened his connection with people facing illness and paid tribute to the doctors, nurses and hospital workers who cared for him.

The first American-born pope said he would begin returning to his usual schedule step by step, relying on God’s help and the continued prayers of the faithful.

In his Angelus message, Leo turned to one of Jesus’ most familiar teachings: “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” He urged Christians to act honestly and reject hypocrisy in their daily lives.

The pope’s appearance came earlier than anticipated. Before the surgery, doctors had expected him to remain hospitalized for roughly a week.

Leaving the hospital Saturday, Leo told a reporter in English that he was doing “much better.”

Claire Holland, who was visiting from Jacksonville, Florida, told The Associated Press that she felt “very blessed” to see the pope return so soon after his operation.

“I think there have been millions and millions of prayers. And he is a strong determined man, and I am so happy that he is feeling well enough to do this,” Holland said.

The operation was the first serious health crisis of Leo’s 17-month papacy. Doctors said the tumor was adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer.

Medical teams are continuing to examine the tumor and nearby lymph nodes. Those results will help determine how far the cancer had spread and whether Leo might need further care, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted treatment.

Leo is scheduled to travel to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from Nov. 6 to Nov. 17. The demanding South American tour includes 12 flights and two helicopter journeys to destinations at high altitude.

His surgeon, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, told Vatican News on Saturday that the pope appeared capable of making the trip.

“The Holy Father has put his heart and soul into his recovery,” Margaritora said, adding that Leo should make a full recovery from the operation “in another 10 days or so.”

Regarding the long journey and air travel planned in roughly three weeks, Margaritora said, “there are no clinical reasons why it should not take place.”