https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/pope-leo-pledges-gradual-return-to-duties-in-first-event-since-cancer-surgeryContinuously updated, source-cited coverage. https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/pope-leo-pledges-gradual-return-to-duties-in-first-event-since-cancer-surgeryhttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/pope-leo-pledges-gradual-return-to-duties-in-first-event-since-cancer-surgery#u143373Wed, 21 Oct 2026 14:31:07 +0000Pope Leo XIV told thousands of people gathered in St. Peter’s Square that he will slowly resume his usual activities as the leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. The 71-year-old pontiff made his first public appearance during a Sunday event, just days after undergoing surgery for lung cancer. He thanked the faithful for their prayers during his hospitalization. The public address marked his return following a medical procedure that doctors discovered entirely by chance. His surgeon described operating on the ideal patient after the unexpected cancer diagnosis.Why it mattersThe public ap