Pope Leo tells 15,000 cheering faithful in St Peter's Square he will 'gradually resume' work after lung cancer surgery

Pope Leo XIV, 71, appeared unaided at the Apostolic Palace window to chants of 'Viva il papa!' just four days after surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung. He declared 'this delicate phase is behind me' in a firm, clear voice. Gemelli hospital discharged him on Saturday after blood tests and a chest X-ray. Tests on the tumour and lymph nodes are still underway.

A week earlier, from the same window, he announced a nodule had been found on his lung.

Doctors may still prescribe chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted oral therapy depending on the test results.

He said the ordeal made him feel 'especially close to those facing illness and infirmity.'