Pope Leo XIV appears at the window of his study in the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, a day after he returned from the hospital, where he had lung cancer removed
The surgery, which came during the 71-year-old’s 17-month papacy, had raised questions about how his health might affect his ability to carry out his responsibilities as head of the Catholic Church, which has around 1.4 billion members. His discharge came earlier than the week-long hospital stay initially anticipated, AP reported. The operation confirmed that Leo had adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer.
The pontiff had indicated that he was recovering well, telling a reporter in English that he was doing “much better” as he left the hospital. Tests on the tumour and related lymph nodes were underway, with the results expected to help doctors determine whether he would need further treatment. Pope Leo XIV made his first public appearance on Sunday since undergoing surgery for lung cancer five days ago, addressing crowds gathered in St Peter’s Square from a window of the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace and assuring the faithful that he would gradually return to his duties. Catholic faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square to welcome Leo back after he was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Saturday, four days after the operation.