Leo XIV prays the Angelus in St. Peter's Square after his speech and emotional greeting to the faithful: "Thank you, I feel your support. Now I will resume my duties"

A roar greeted Pope Leo's "Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday" to the crowd of faithful waiting for him in St. Peter's Square, the day after his discharge from Gemelli, where he underwent surgery to remove a lung tumor.

The Pope appeared in top form and smiling, with a loud and resonant voice. Leo XIV immediately began to briefly comment on today's Gospel, the passage from Matthew on the famous phrase: "Render to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." "We too must be like Jesus, free from all commitments."

And he added: "In Jesus we contemplate a God who does not fear history, but comes to inhabit it. His Kingdom does not eliminate human positions or responsibilities. But it asks us to live without concessions, free of bad ambitions and unjust interests, putting the Kingdom of God and its justice before everything." Numerous cries of "Long live the Pope!" have been heard from the square.

"I thank everyone who has prayed for me these days; I have really felt your support. Thank you. And my special thanks to the doctors, the nurses and all the staff of the Gemelli Polyclinic," said Leo XIV at the end of the recitation of the Angelus, while the square erupted in shouts, songs and applause.

Furthermore, slightly moved, he underlined the following: "This experience has made me feel close to those who are going through an illness or a situation of illness. Now, as you know, once this delicate phase is over, I will gradually resume my activity, as always with the help of God and your prayers."

Immediately afterwards, Leo XIV retired, without greeting, as is customary every Sunday, the different groups of faithful present in the square: evidently, he preferred not to get too tired. Solo recalled the 100th World Mission Day, which is celebrated this Sunday: "Let us think about the entire missionary history of these hundred years. Let us pray that the Church will always be faithful to the command of the risen Lord: 'Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.'"