Pope Leo XIV, before the faithful in St. Peter’s Square after surgery to remove a cancerous lung nodule

Pope Leo XIV addressed the crowd in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Sunday, in his first public appearance after undergoing surgery on Tuesday to remove a lung nodule that proved to be cancerous.

The 71-year-old pontiff appeared at the window of the Apostolic Palace, where he was greeted by a chorus of female voices shouting, “Long live the Pope!” Smiling and speaking clearly, Leo XIV thanked the faithful for their prayers and support in recent days.

At the end of the Angelus prayer, the Pope announced that he would gradually resume his duties during his convalescence. He also expressed his gratitude to the doctors, nurses and entire staff of Gemelli Hospital, where he was treated.

His appearance at the Vatican provided the first public information about the pontiff’s condition after the surgery. The AFP and Reuters news agencies reported that Pope Leo XIV appeared to be in good health and spoke without difficulty to the thousands of people gathered in the square.