Pope Leo XIV set for first public appearance after cancer surgery

Pope Leo XIV is set to make his first public appearance on Sunday, marking his first step since undergoing surgery on his right lung. The 71-year-old leader, who was elected to the papacy in May 2025, had been diagnosed with cancer. Following the operation on Tuesday, where part of his right lung was removed, the pontiff's doctors reported that he was recovering well and could resume normal daily activities.

The Vatican shared the first photographs of Pope Leo since the surgery, showing him celebrating Mass and standing without assistance at the hospital in Rome. His health has continued to improve, with blood tests and a chest X-ray indicating "steady improvement." Despite the successful surgery, the Vatican has not disclosed the size of the tumor or whether the cancer had spread to nearby lymph nodes, details that could be crucial for determining his long-term prognosis.

Cardinal Blase Cupich, a close ally of the pope, expressed shock at the severity of Leo's condition, noting that the removed growth was malignant. The pope is scheduled to visit Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 6 to 17, with the Vatican continuing preparations for the trip. Despite his hospitalization, Pope Leo XIV has continued to carry out official duties, including a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which he called for a ceasefire to aid humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.