Pope appears in public for first time since surgery

Pope Leo XIV said he would resume his duties "gradually" as he addressed the crowd for the first time since his lung cancer surgery.

Part of the pope's right lung was removed as part of the operation, which took place at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome. He was discharged on Saturday.

The Catholic leader thanked those who prayed for him while he was hospitalized, saying he would "gradually assume" his activities as the crowd cheered upon seeing him appearing. The 71-year-old spoke normally and looked physically well.

The people said the "delicate phase" is behind him, thanking "God and your prayers" for it and also expressing his gratitude to the medical staff at the Rome hospital.

During his time at hospital, the pope still made his worries about the Ukrainian civilian population clear. He held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging for a ceasefire in the Ukrainian town of Oleshky, located on the front line.

Putin reacted by saying Ukraine is responsible for the situation.

Recovery in ten days

According to his surgeon, the pontiff is in an "absolutely satisfactory clinical condition," with his full recovery probably taking some ten days.

"His determination to achieve a very quick and very effective recovery from every point of view was really commendable," Dr. Stefano Margaritora told Vatican News.

Margaritora said the tumor had been found during a routine X-ray checkup, while also saying the operation to remove it was "routine."

The pope's next major assignment would be his trip to South America, in which visits to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru are planned. The trip should take place between November 6 and 17. Speaking about the pope's recovery, Dr. Margaritora said he sees "no clinical reason" why the trip should be called off.

Testing of the tumor and related lymph nodes was underway, with the results determining whether Pope Leo needs additional medical treatment.

The 71-year-old Pope Leo was born in Chicago. He's been in his role since May 2025.