VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV greeted thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, offering his traditional Sunday blessing just four days after returning to the Vatican from major surgery to remove a malignant lung tumor.
The 71-year-old pontiff appeared in the window overlooking the square to a burst of cheers from the crowd. It was from the exact same window a week earlier during the Angelus blessing that the pope first disclosed he had a lung nodule requiring surgical removal.
Speaking with a voice that sounded strong, the pontiff expressed gratitude for the widespread prayers and support he received throughout his hospitalization. Now that this delicate phase is behind me, I will gradually resume my activities, always with God’s help and your prayers, Leo told the crowd.
The pope also shared that the personal experience of the past week has made me feel especially close to those facing illness and infirmity. He extended particular gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and medical staff at Rome’s Gemelli hospital who managed his care.
The surgery took place on Tuesday, marking the first major health challenge of his 17-month pontificate. Surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung, and subsequent analysis confirmed the growth was adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer. Following a hospital stay shorter than initially anticipated, the pope told a reporter in English that he was doing much better as he departed Gemelli hospital for the Vatican.
Pilgrims and visitors in the square expressed astonishment and relief at his swift return. Cosimo Mastrocinque, a retired factory worker visiting from Puglia, Italy, marveled at the rapid recovery, remarking that it felt like a miracle to see him back so soon after major surgery.
American visitors were especially prominent among the crowd, drawn in part because Leo is the first pope born in the United States. Marla Marsala of Michigan had planned to attend a papal Mass the previous week that was ultimately canceled due to the hospitalization. I am just happy that we are praying with him today instead of for him, Marsala said, describing him as a strong soul capable of pulling through.
Claire Holland, a visitor from Jacksonville, Florida, said she felt very blessed to witness the return. I’m so happy that he has recovered so quickly, Holland said, attributing the recovery to millions of prayers and the pope’s strong, determined character.
Following the blessing, a delegation of pilgrims from Africa who were in Rome for a congress celebrated by dancing and ululating in the square. Alain Kalembu, a visitor from the Democratic Republic of Congo, noted that the pope had remained in their prayers throughout his illness and expressed profound joy at seeing him.
Medical teams are still evaluating the next steps in the pontiff’s care. Histological testing of the tumor and associated lymph nodes is currently underway. The findings, alongside molecular and genetic profiling of the tumor, will guide doctors in deciding whether additional therapies such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted oral treatments are necessary.
Meanwhile, preparations continue for an ambitious upcoming papal journey to South America scheduled for November 6 through November 17, which includes visits to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru featuring a dozen flights and two helicopter trips to high-altitude locations. Dr. Stefano Margaritora, the pope’s surgeon, told Vatican News on Saturday that there are no clinical reasons why the trip should not take place. Margaritora added that the Holy Father has put his heart and soul into his recovery and is expected to heal completely within another 10 days or so.
