Pope celebrated on return to Vatican

Appearance after lung surgery

Pope celebrated on return to Vatican

After his cancer operation, Leo XIV is back in the Vatican. He looked fit during the Angelus prayer in front of tens of thousands in St. Peter’s Square. But there is still no all-clear. What do the next few weeks look like?

After surviving lung cancer surgery, Pope Leo XIV resumed his duties Vatican resumed. At his first public appearance, the head of the Catholic Church was cheered by tens of thousands in St. Peter’s Square. The 71-year-old thanked everyone for the well-being wishes and prayers from all over the world. “I really felt your support. Thank you.” At the same time, we remembered the many other cancer sufferers. “I felt close to those going through this illness.”

According to estimates, more than 30,000 people were in the central square Rome gathered to welcome the American native back after five days in the hospital. Leo turned to him and said, “Dear brothers and sisters, have a nice Sunday!” from the window of his study on the third floor of the Apostolic Palace to the crowd. The Pope appeared healthy during the eight-minute Sunday prayer. He spoke in a firm voice and had no trouble breathing.

Many expressed joy and relief at the surprisingly quick return. Leo was actually expected to stay in the hospital until at least Tuesday. “I hope that he will recover completely and be our shepherd for many, many, many years to come,” said Michelle Sutko (74). ChicagoLeo’s hometown, the dpa. Nanett Sommer (48). Hamburg said: “I think it’s good that he’s so open about his illness and says that he has cancer. That’s rather unusual.”

Leo particularly thanked the staff at the Gemelli Clinic in Rome, where he was treated and operated on. He promised: “Once the delicate phase is overcome, I will gradually resume my activities, as always with the help of God and your prayers.” The Vatican did not comment in detail on the further schedule. According to his doctors, Leo survived the operation well.

Exactly a week earlier, the American native had made his illness public in the same place. He then had to undergo the 90-minute operation on Tuesday. The lower lobe of his right lung was removed because a malignant tumor had implanted there. According to the doctors, this was completely successful. However, it is still unclear whether the cancer has spread throughout his body or not.

The Pope was surprisingly able to leave the Gemelli Hospital, where he was operated on, on Saturday around 3:30 p.m. He was greeted with much applause by the hospital staff, other patients and onlookers. When asked how he was doing, he replied: “Much better, thank you.” A girl suffering from cancer Ukraine gave him a rag doll that was obviously supposed to represent the Pope.