Pope Leo XIV Pledges Return

Pope Leo XIV appeared at the Apostolic Palace window to lead the Angelus prayer, his first public appearance since lung cancer surgery. Surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung, and tests confirmed lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer. Doctors had found the cancer by chance during other examinations, while the pope had no breathing symptoms and felt well. Leo thanked people who prayed for him and the hospital staff, then said he would gradually resume his activities. The surgery had no complications, and he left after a four-day hospital stay. Further pathology results are pending, and the Vatican has not given a prognosis.