Pope Leo Resumes Duties After Lung Cancer Surgery

Pope Leo XIV has thanked thousands of faithful in St. Peter's Square for their prayers during his hospitalization for an operation to remove a malignant tumor from his lung. He has announced he will gradually resume his duties, always with God's help and their prayers.

The 71-year-old pontiff had the lower lobe of his right lung removed on Tuesday, marking the first major health event of his 17-month pontificate. The surgery confirmed he had adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer.

American tourists were especially eager to pray alongside the first pope born in the United States. Marla Marsala of Michigan expressed happiness at being able to pray with the pope instead of for him, calling him a strong soul.

Leo's next major engagement is an ambitious Nov. 6-17 trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, including a dozen flights and two helicopter rides to high altitudes. His surgeon, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, has stated there are no clinical reasons why the trip should not take place.