Pope greeted by crowds in first major appearance since lung cancer surgery

Pope Leo XIV thanked about 15,000 Catholic faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square during his first major public appearance since surgery for lung cancer. The 71-year-old pontiff said the delicate phase was behind him and that he would gradually resume his activities, with God’s help and the faithful’s prayers. The operation confirmed adenocarcinoma, and test results showing whether the cancer has spread are still pending. Leo expressed gratitude to the doctors, nurses and staff at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital and said his recent experience had brought him especially close to people facing illness.