A day after being released from the hospital, Pope Leo XIV greeted thousands of followers gathered for prayer Oct. 18 in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City and said he planned to slowly resume his papal duties.
"I have truly felt your support. Thank you," the smiling pontiff told the crowd, his voice clear and strong, before leading the Angelus prayer from the window of the papal apartment. The crowd cheered.
Leo, 71, underwent surgery on Oct. 13 to remove a small lung nodule doctors discovered at a health checkup. They diagnosed Leo, the youngest pope in decades, with lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer.
Doctors said the surgery was successful, but have not yet disclosed the size of the tumor or whether the disease had spread, key
factors in determining prognosis, Reuters reported.
The Sunday prayer was Leo’s first public event since the surgery. The Vatican has cancelled the pope’s other public appearances until Wednesday, Oct. 21.
Before delivering the prayer, Leo expressed gratitude to the doctors and nurses at Gemelli Hospital, where he underwent surgery. He urged the faithful watching from below to serve God "without compromise."
Leo is planning to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru on an extended trip Nov. 6-17. The Vatican said the trip will "go forward."
Contributing: Mike Snider, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pope Leo XIV promises slow return to papal duties post-surgery
