Pope Leo has thanked thousands of faithful in St Peter's Square for their prayers while he was in hospital for an operation to remove a malignant tumour, and said he plans to gradually return to his usual duties.

The 71-year-old pontiff had the lower lobe of his right lung removed on Tuesday.

Pope Leo XIV thanked the thousands of faithful in the Vatican’s Saint Peter’s Square on Sunday for their prayers while he was hospitalised earlier this week.

Pope Leo XIV thanked the thousands of faithful in the Vatican’s Saint Peter’s Square on Sunday for their prayers while he was hospitalised earlier this week.

Thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square as Pope Leo XIV made a surprise early return from Gemelli hospital following cancerous tumor removal.

Pope Leo XIV has thanked the faithful in St. Peter's Square for their prayers after his hospitalization for lung surgery. Speaking from a window overlooking the square, he said he would gradually resume his activities with God's help.

Pope Leo XIV thanked thousands of faithful in St. Peter's Square on Sunday for their prayers while he was hospitalized for an operation to remove a malignant tumor, and said he plans to gradually

Pope Leo XIV thanked thousands of faithful in St. Peter's Square on Sunday for their prayers while he was hospitalized for an operation to remove a malignant tumor, and said he plans to gradually

Pope Leo XIV has thanked the faithful in St. Peter’s Square for their prayers after his hospitalization for lung surgery.