Pope Leo greets pilgrims at the Sunday Angelus, his first scheduled event since leaving hospital on Saturday.
In his words to pilgrims the Pope spoke of his experience in hospital, saying:
"I would like to thank all those who have prayed for me in recent days. I have truly sensed your support. Thank you!
I wish to express my particular gratitude to the doctors, nurses and all the staff of the Gemelli Hospital.
This experience has made me feel particularly close to all those who are living with illness or infirmity.
Now that I have overcome this delicate phase, as you know, I will gradually resume my activities, always with God’s help and your prayers."
Pope Leo XIV underwent thoracic surgery at Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday afternoon, as planned, according to a statement from Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora released by the Holy See Press Office.
The surgeons removed the lower lobe of the Pope’s right lung, and tissue examined during the operation confirmed the diagnosis of “lung adenocarcinoma,” as suspected from tests conducted beforehand.
The Pope was in the operating room approximately three hours, while the operation itself lasted about 90 minutes. The doctors said it was successful and there were no complications.
Pope Leo awoke normally after surgery and, following a brief period of observation, returned to his room on the hospital’s 10th floor, according to the statement.
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Pope Leo XIV’s surgery to remove a “small, localized nodule” from his lung was successful and he has returned to his room in the Gemelli Hospital, according to the Holy See Press Office.