Pope Leo to hold Wednesday audience for first time since cancer surgery

​Pope Leo ​will hold ‌a general audience ​with pilgrims at the Vatican on Wednesday ‌for the first time since undergoing surgery for lung cancer, the Vatican said. The 71-year-old pontiff ‌had an operation on October ‌13 to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, fuelling speculation about how his illness ⁠might ​change ⁠his 17-month papacy.

Leo pledged on Sunday, in ⁠his first public event since the surgery, that ​he would slowly resume his usual ⁠activities as the leader of the world's 1.4 ⁠billion ​Catholics. The pope hosts a general audience with pilgrims on most Wednesdays ⁠of the year. It is either held ⁠in ⁠St. Peter's Square or indoors, depending on the weather.