Pope greeted by crowds in first major appearance since lung cancer surgery

Pope Leo pledges a gradual return to duties in an address to the Catholic faithful in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican.Published On 19 Oct 202619 Oct 2026Pope Leo XIV has thanked some 15,000 Catholic faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square during his Sunday address, his first major public appearance since lung cancer surgery.“Now that this delicate phase is behind me, I will gradually resume my activities, always with God’s help and your prayers,” Leo said.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Pope Leo to make public appearance Sunday, first since cancer surgerylist 2 of 3Pope Leo leaves hospital after lung cancer surgerylist 3 of 3Pope Leo returns to Vatican after lung cancer surgeryend of listThe 71-year-old pontiff addressed the crowd from a window overlooking the square at the Vatican, where a week ago on the same occasion of the traditional Angelus blessing, he revealed that a nodule had been found in his lung and would be surgically removed.The operation confirmed he had adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer.Test results to determine whether the cancer has spread are still pending.Leo said the experience of the past week “has made me feel especially close...