Pope Leo XIV Appears in St. Peter's Square After Lung Cancer Surgery: Key Questions

Pope Leo XIV appeared at a window above St. Peter's Square on Sunday, days after surgery for lung cancer, and told the crowd he will gradually return to his duties. According to The Independent and Fox News, the 71-year-old pontiff was greeted with cheers from thousands of people.

His surgeon says nothing in the pope's condition rules out a demanding trip to South America planned for November. Further test results will help determine whether he needs more treatment.

What did the pope say on Sunday?

Leo thanked worshippers for their prayers and said that, with the delicate phase behind him, he would slowly resume his activities with God's help. He added that his time in the hospital had made him feel closer to people living with illness. He also thanked the doctors, nurses and staff at Rome's Gemelli hospital, according to The Independent.

Fox News reported that in his Angelus address he also reflected on the Gospel teaching about giving to the emperor what is the emperor's and to God what is God's. He urged Christians to live with integrity and avoid hypocrisy.

It was the first time he had led the prayer since he announced a week earlier, from the same window, that doctors had found a nodule on his lung that needed surgery.

What operation did he have, and what was the diagnosis?

Doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung on Tuesday. The surgery confirmed adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer, both outlets reported. It was the first major health event of his 17-month pontificate.

He left the hospital on Saturday, after a shorter stay than doctors had first expected. Fox News reported that they had anticipated about a week. As he left, he told a reporter in English that he was doing "much better."

Will he need more treatment?

That is not yet known. Testing of the tumor and nearby lymph nodes was underway, The Independent reported. The results, along with the tumor's molecular and genetic makeup, will guide doctors on whether further treatment is needed.

The options named in the reports include chemotherapy, chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy, or a targeted oral therapy chosen according to the tumor's genetic characteristics.

Can he still make his trip to South America?

The pope's next major engagement is a trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from Nov. 6 to Nov. 17. The itinerary includes a dozen flights and two helicopter rides to high altitudes.

His surgeon, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, told Vatican News on Saturday that the pope has put his heart and soul into his recovery. He said he expects a full recovery from the surgery in another 10 days or so. On the trip, he said there are "no clinical reasons why it should not take place," according to Fox News and The Independent.

What does this mean for the faithful and the pope's schedule?

For pilgrims, the pope's return to the window signals that his public role is resuming, though he described the return as gradual. Leo is the first pope born in the United States, and American visitors were among those in the square.

Marla Marsala of Michigan, who had planned to attend a Mass with the pope the previous week that was canceled because of his hospitalization, said she was glad to be praying with him rather than for him. Claire Holland of Jacksonville, Florida, told The Associated Press she felt "very blessed" to witness his return.

Members of an African delegation attending a conference in Rome celebrated with dancing and ululation after the blessing. Alain Kalembu of the Democratic Republic of Congo said the joy was an expression of how much the pope had been in their prayers.

Whether his schedule stays on course may depend on the pathology results. The Vatican has not said when they are expected.

Sources: The Independent, Fox News