Pope Leo XIV Resumes Duties After Lung Cancer Surgery

Pope Leo XIV appeared in public for the first time since his lung cancer surgery, addressing a cheering crowd in Rome to announce that he would resume his duties "gradually." The 71-year-old leader, who is in his role since May 2025, spoke normally and looked physically well, thanking both God and the faithful for helping him through what he described as a "delicate phase." He also expressed gratitude to the medical staff at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, where he was discharged on Saturday following the procedure.

During his hospitalization, part of the Pope's right lung was removed to treat the cancer, a surgery his surgeon, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, characterized as routine after the tumor was detected during a X-ray checkup. Dr. Margaritora told Vatican News that the Pope is in an "absolutely satisfactory clinical condition" and that a full recovery would likely take ten days, noting that there is "no clinical reason" to cancel the Pope's planned trip to South America between November 6 and 17.