Urgent.News

What's breaking now, across thousands of outlets.

Health & Medicine

Faithful gather to welcome Pope Leo back for Sunday blessing after cancer surgery

VATICAN CITY — Catholic faithful converged on St. Peter’s Square on Sunday to welcome Pope Leo XIV back to the Vatican after surgery to remove a tumor from his lung. Leo is delivering the traditional Angelus blessing, his first official appointment since being released from the hospital on Saturday, four days after cancer surgery. The 71-year-old pontiff had the lower lobe of his right lung…

Faithful gather to welcome Pope Leo back for Sunday blessing after cancer surgery

Catholic devotees gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday to greet Pope Leo XIV upon his return to the Vatican following lung cancer surgery. The 71-year-old pontiff arrived at the hospital on Tuesday, where doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung, confirming he had adenocarcinoma, the most frequent type of lung cancer.

Despite the recent operation, Pope Leo expressed that he felt "much better" as he left the Gemelli hospital to return to the Vatican, well ahead of the expected week-long hospital stay. Onlookers, including retired factory worker Cosimo Mastrocinque from Puglia, marveled at the apparent swift recovery, remarking that it was a "miracle he recovered already."

American tourists, in particular, expressed eagerness to join the pope in prayer during the traditional Angelus blessing, marking his first official event since the surgery.

Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.

This story

This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.

Read the original at koreatimes.co.kr →

More in Health & Medicine

Pope Leo says he will resume activities after cancer surgery

Pope Leo XIV thanked thousands of faithful in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, one day after being discharged from the hospital for cancer surgery.

  • Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery to remove lung tumor
  • 71-year-old pontiff thanks medical staff and prayers
  • Pope discharged after four-day hospital stay

More from Sunday 18 October →