Pope Leo pledges gradual return to duties in first event since cancer surgery

By Joshua McElwee VATICAN CITY, Oct 18 (Reuters) Pope Leo pledged on Sunday to slowly resume his usual activities ​as the leader of the world s ‌1.4 billion Catholics as he greeted crowds in St. Peter s Square during his first public event since undergoing surgery for lung cancer five ‌days ​ago. The 71-year-old pontiff 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, Leo said. The pope, who was discharged ⁠from ‌Rome s Gemelli hospital on Saturday, ⁠came to the window in ​the ‌palace unaided and held his we