Pope Leo resumes public duties 5 days after lung surgery
What's next: The 71-year-old pontiff plans a Nov. 6-17 trip to Uruguay, Peru and Argentina as doctors expect a full recovery.
Pope Leo XIV made his first public appearance since lung cancer surgery, telling pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square on Oct. 18 that he would gradually resume his normal duties. The 71-year-old pontiff was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Oct. 17 after doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung on Oct. 13.
Leo appeared at a window of the Apostolic Palace, thanked people for their prayers and said he had overcome a delicate phase. His surgeon, Stefano Margaritora, said there were no clinical reasons to cancel the pope’s planned Nov. 6-17 trip to Uruguay, Peru and Argentina and that he expected a full recovery in about 10 days.