Pope appears in public for first time since surgery
After undergoing a lung operation, the pope said he will resume his duties gradually. There is no "clinical reason" for his South America trip not to go ahead, his surgeon said.
Pope Leo XIV made his first public appearance since undergoing lung cancer surgery, addressing the crowd at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome. The 71-year-old pontiff had part of his right lung removed during the operation, which took place at the hospital. After being discharged on Saturday, he thanked those who prayed for him and expressed his gratitude for the medical staff's care.
The pope, who has been in his position since May 2025, appeared physically well and spoke normally during his public address. Despite his recent surgery, the pontiff remains determined to swiftly recover, with his surgeon, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, stating that full recovery is likely within ten days. The pope's next major engagement will be his trip to South America, planned between November 6 and 17, likely including visits to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru.
Dr. Margaritora noted that there is no clinical reason to postpone the trip, as the test results on the tumor and related lymph nodes will determine if additional medical treatment is necessary.
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