Pope Leo XIV said Sunday that he has “overcome” a delicate phase in his recovery from lung cancer surgery and will gradually return to his duties, days after surgeons removed part of his right lung.
“I would like to thank all those who have prayed for me in recent days,” Leo said Sunday in the statement on X. “I wish to express my particular gratitude to the doctors, nurses and all the staff of the Gemelli Hospital.”
The pope continued: “This experience has made me feel particularly close to all those who are living with illness or infirmity. Now that I have overcome this delicate phase I will gradually resume my activities, always with God’s help and your prayers.”
The remarks came during the pontiff's Sunday appearance at the Vatican following his release from Rome's Gemelli Hospital. The 71-year-old pope was discharged Saturday after a four-day hospital stay.
Leo's surgery confirmed that he has lung adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer. Surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung, the Vatican announced last week.
The diagnosis came roughly 17 months into Leo's papacy. He was elected in May 2025, becoming the first American pope.
Newsweek reached out to the Vatican Sunday for further comment.
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What the Vatican Has Said
The Vatican said during Leo's hospitalization that his recovery was proceeding normally. Blood tests and a chest X-ray following the surgery indicated that the pope was recovering as expected.
He began walking, resumed his regular diet and celebrated Mass while hospitalized.
His return to the Apostolic Palace window on Sunday marked a significant public step in that recovery.
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White House Sends Well Wishes
President Donald Trump had sent well-wishes to Leo following news of his cancer diagnosis.
“I want to see Pope Leo get well,” Trump told reporters before departing Arizona Thursday. Trump said Leo’s prognosis appeared positive, adding: “We just want to wish him our love and our best wishes.”
The warm words come after months of public friction between Trump and Leo, who have found themselves on opposing sides of issues including the Iran war and immigration.
The president insisted in April that he was not “fighting” with the pope despite their differing views over the Iran conflict.
Trump also referenced the pope’s older brother, Louis Prevost, a registered Republican.
"His brother and his wife—they are big Trump supporters. I can say that his brother loves him a lot, loves the pope a lot,” Trump said. “And that’s good, that’s good enough for me. But I just want to wish him well. Get better fast.”
Earlier Wednesday, Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic, also offered his support for the pope following his diagnosis.
“Our family continues to pray for the good health and full recovery of Pope Leo XIV,” Vance wrote on X. “May God grant him strength as he works to get better. I hope he knows that millions of American Christians are thinking about him.”
Vance also sent his best wishes to Prevost, who is battling multiple myeloma, his wife told CBS News on Tuesday.
“We also want to send our best wishes to a true American original and great guy, Lou Prevost, who is also facing his own health challenges,” Vance wrote. “May God keep both of these brothers healthy for years to come.”
What Happens Next
Leo's next major engagement is a trip to South America from November 6 to 17 when he visits Peru, Uruguay, Argentina. The trip will include a dozen flights and two helicopter rides to high altitudes. The pope's surgeon, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, told Vatican News on Saturday that "there are no clinical reasons why it should not take place.”
Meanwhile, questions remain about whether the cancer has spread but no prognosis for the pope has been given. The Associated Press reported that once the tumor's test results come back, options include chemotherapy, a combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, or targeted oral therapy based on the tumor’s genetic characteristics.
Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here. Contact Newsweek editors for this story: Steve Mollman and Anthony Murray.