Pope addresses crowd in Vatican after cancer surgery

Vatican City witnessed a historic public appearance by Pope Leo XIV, 71, as he addressed a vast crowd in St Peter's Square after completing lung cancer surgery. The Pope, who had part of his right lung removed on Tuesday, was discharged from Rome's Gemelli University Hospital on Saturday, sparking widespread relief among Catholics worldwide.

Pope Leo XIV, in his first major public appearance since the procedure, expressed gratitude to those who had prayed for him during his recovery period. He reassured the audience that he would gradually resume his duties, stating, "I will now gradually resume my activities." The Pope, who appeared well and spoke normally, greeted the crowd with a warm smile and a chorus of "Viva il Papa!" echoed across St Peter's Square.

Christopher Butler, a parish priest from England, praised the Pope's resilience, calling him a "great shepherd for the Catholic Church." He acknowledged the need for time to ensure a complete recovery but noted the Pope's determination to return to his duties. Soledad Espinosa, from Ecuador, and Norma Grasso, from Argentina, echoed similar sentiments of hope and anticipation for the Pope's swift return to health.

The Pope's journey from surgery to public address was met with cautious optimism. His surgeon, Stefano Margaritora, reported that the Pope was in "absolutely satisfactory clinical condition," with another ten days of recovery ahead. The Pope's tumor, discovered during a routine abdominal X-ray, had been addressed through a routine operation, despite initial doubts about a planned papal visit to Latin America.

Margaritora commended the Pope's commitment to his recovery, describing it as commendable. However, the results of further tests to determine if the cancer had spread remain pending. In the meantime, Pope Leo XIV's call to Russian President Vladimir Putin for a ceasefire in Oleshky further showcased his leadership as he addressed pressing global issues from his hospital bed.