Pope Leo has pledged to gradually resume his duties after a surgery
he 71-year-old pontiff had an operation on Tuesday to remove the lower lobe of his right lung
Black News 
Pope Leo has pledged to gradually resume his usual duties as leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. He made the remarks while greeting crowds in St Peter’s Square on Sunday, in his first public appearance since undergoing surgery five days ago.
The 71-year-old high priest had an operation on Tuesday to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, fuelling speculation about how his illness might change his 17-month papacy.
Smiling from a window of the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace as he spoke to pilgrims below in a firm, clear voice on Sunday, the first US pope thanked people across the world for their prayers and said he would now begin to resume his normal schedule.
“Having overcome this delicate phase I will now gradually resume my activities, always with the help of God and your prayers.”
The pope, was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Saturday and on Sunday came to the window in the palace unaided and held his weekly midday appointment as usual.
He also urged pilgrims waiting below under cloudy skies to set aside any selfish ambitions and serve God “without compromise”.
