Pope Leo XIV has addressed roughly 15,000 Catholic faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square during his traditional Sunday address, marking his first major public appearance since undergoing delicate lung cancer surgery at Rome's Gemelli Hospital.

«Now that this delicate phase is behind me, I will gradually resume my activities, always with God’s help and your prayers», the 71-year-old pontiff stated from a window overlooking the Vatican square. Just a week prior, during the same Angelus blessing, he had revealed the discovery of a lung nodule that required immediate removal. The subsequent operation confirmed adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer, though test results to determine whether the disease has metastasized are reportedly still pending.

The pontiff reflected on the past week, noting that the experience «has made me feel especially close to those facing illness and infirmity». He expressed sincere gratitude to the medical staff, doctors, and nurses who treated him, while also acknowledging the overwhelming support from the global flock. Following a brief wave to the cheering crowd, the pope retreated into his apartment within the Apostolic Palace.

Meanwhile, the European regime and Vatican officials are weighing the implications of the health scare on his upcoming itinerary amid lingering doubts. While Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin suggested that the pope might need to adjust his schedule according to his health condition, the pontiff's surgeon, Stefano Margaritora, claimed there are supposedly no clinical reasons to cancel a planned voyage to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru in November, leaving the final decision subject to ongoing medical evaluations.

Source: www.aljazeera.com