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 return to his usual duties. The crowd erupted in cheers when the pontiff showed himself in the window overlooking the square, where a week ago on the same occasion of the traditional Angelus blessing he revealed that a nodule had been located on his lung, and that it would be surgically removed. ''Now that this delicate phase is behind me, I will gradually resume my activities, always with God's help and your prayers," Leo said, his voice sounding strong four days after the lower lobe of his right lung was removed. "This experience has made me feel particularly close to all those who are living with illness or infirmity," the pope said.
He told the crowd that he had ''truly felt your support,'' and expressed ''particular gratitude to the doctors, nurses and all the staff at Gemelli Hospital," where he was treated. The pope paused for a moment and waved to the crowd before retreating into his apartment in the Apostolic Palace. A delegation from Africa in Rome for a congress danced and ululated after the pope's blessing. ''He was always in our prayers when he was sick, and we are happy to see him today,″ said Alain Kalembu of the Democratic Republic of Congo. ″This is an expression of our joy.″ The 71-year-old pontiff had the lower lobe of his right lung removed on Tuesday in the first major health event of his 17-month pontificate.
The surgery confirmed he had adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer. He told a reporter in English that he was doing ''much better'' as he drove away from Rome's Gemelli Hospital to return to the Vatican, after a shorter hospital stay than had initially been anticipated. He was discharged Saturday after the four-day stay.
No information about his prognosis has been publicly shared. "I don't believe it, because he was just operated on the other day," said Cosimo Mastrocinque, a retired factory worker visiting the Vatican from the southern region of Puglia. "It is a miracle that he recovered already." American tourists were especially eager to pray alongside the first pope born in the United States.
Marla Marsala of Michigan was supposed to attend a Mass with the pope last week that was canceled due to his hospitalization. ''I am just happy that we are praying with him today instead of for him, like we were before,'' Marsala said. "It was a tough week for all of the people who love him, which are many. He seems like a very strong soul.
So I think he will pull through and fight it, and succeed and keep doing the wonderful work he is doing.'' Claire Holland from Jacksonville, Florida, said she felt "very blessed" to be present for the pope's return to his flock. "I'm so happy that he has recovered so quickly. I think there have been millions and millions of prayers.
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