Pope Leo has pledged to gradually resume his duties after a surgery

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.