‘With help of God & your prayers’: Pope makes first public appearance after surgery

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 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.The 71-year-old pontiff appeared unaided at the window and delivered his customary Sunday noon address in a firm, clear voice, smiling as he spoke to pilgrims gathered below under cloudy skies.Thanking people around the world for their prayers and support, Leo said he had come through a delicate phase of his recovery and would begin resuming his activities with their continued prayers and God’s help.“Having overcome this delicate phase ... I will now gradually resume my activities, always with the help of God and your prayers,” he said.He also urged pilgrims to put aside selfish ambitions and serve God “without compromise”.The appearance marked Leo’s first public engagement since he underwent an operation on Tuesday ...