Pope Leo leads Sunday prayers in first major public appearance since lung cancer surgery

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Pope Leo XIV has made his first major public appearance since his lung cancer surgery, saying the experience brought him closer to the all those who suffer from same spot in the Vatican he announced a week ago he needed an operation.

The 71-year-old pontiff lead the Sunday Angelus from the balcony of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter’s Square, where thousands gathered to clap, sing and hear his message.

Leo thanked doctors for his treatment and for all those who prayed for him, adding that he is gradually returning to his duties as pope.

The pope’s remarks came as thousands of runners taking part in the Rome marathon had been jogging up the main walkway leading into St. Peter’s Square taking a right past the papal residence of the Apostolic palace.

At midday, however, all eyes were on Leo XIV when he appeared at the window of his home to address the crowd, wishing them a happy Sunday in a firm and strong voice.

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The pope was released on Saturday from the Gemelli hospital following lung surgery to remove a growth which was later diagnosed as an adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer.

Doctors say he has made a good recovery following his surgery, even saying he can make trip to Latin America due to take place 6-17 November.

“I would say there are no clinical reasons why it should not take place,” Professor Stefano Margaritora, who operated on the pontiff, told Vatican news.

Last Sunday the pope made his surprise announcement that a “nodule” had been found on his lung, and he was going to have surgery. The news of the cancer diagnosis on Tuesday shocked people inside the Vatican and across the Catholic world, given the pope was known for being in good physical shape.

The pope’s visit to Latin America includes Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. Leo served as a missionary and bishop in Peru for a number of years. His itinerary includes a stop in Cusco, which is around 3,350 meters above sea level, where there is roughly one-third less oxygen available per breath compared to sea-level.

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教宗良十四世自接受肺癌手术以来首次公开露面，他表示，这次经历让他与所有在梵蒂冈同一地点遭受肺癌折磨的人们更加亲近。一周前，他宣布自己需要接受手术。

71岁的教宗在俯瞰圣彼得广场的宗座宫阳台上带领信众诵念星期日三钟经，成千上万的人聚集在那里鼓掌、歌唱，聆听他的讲话。

利奥感谢医生们对他的治疗，也感谢所有为他祈祷的人，并表示他正在逐步恢复教宗的职责。

教皇发表这番言论时，数千名参加罗马马拉松的跑者正沿着通往圣彼得广场的主要通道慢跑，右转经过教皇的宗座宫。

然而，到了中午，所有人的目光都集中在利奥十四世身上，他出现在自家窗户前，向人群发表讲话，用坚定有力的声音祝愿他们星期日快乐。

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教皇于周六从杰梅利医院出院，此前他接受了肺部手术，切除了一个肿块，该肿块后来被诊断为腺癌，这是肺癌最常见的类型。

医生说他手术后恢复得很好，甚至说他可以参加 11 月 6 日至 17 日的拉丁美洲之行。

为教皇做手术的斯特凡诺·马加里托拉教授告诉梵蒂冈新闻：“我认为没有任何临床理由阻止这种手术。”

上周日，教宗出人意料地宣布，他的肺部发现了一个“结节”，并将接受手术。周二确诊癌症的消息震惊了梵蒂冈和整个天主教世界，因为教宗一向以身体健康著称。

教宗此次拉丁美洲之行包括乌拉圭、阿根廷和秘鲁。利奥曾在秘鲁担任传教士和主教多年。他的行程中包括库斯科，该地海拔约3350米，与海平面相比，那里的氧气含量大约低三分之一。