Pope Leo Appeals for End to Yemen Violence in Address 12 Days After Lung Surgery

Pope Leo called on Sunday for an end to the violence in Yemen, speaking from the window over St Peter's Square less than two weeks after surgery for lung cancer, in a firm and clear voice that drew a wave and a smile for the crowd below.

"I'm making a heartfelt appeal for the hostilities to stop, so that the people in Yemen and across the entire region can live in peace," the 71-year-old pope said, in remarks reported by Reuters. He reached the window unaided, the same spot where he announced on October 11 that he would have an operation to remove a small growth on his lung, in the first health scare of his papacy.

Leo said he was particularly concerned about the humanitarian situation in Taiz, a city in southwestern Yemen, "where the population suffers due to the lack of food, water and medical assistance."

Back at the window 12 days after surgery

Surgeons removed the lower lobe of the pope's right lung on October 13. The growth was an adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer. Last week his doctors said he would need no further therapy, an indication that the tumour had not spread.

Sunday's address was the clearest public test of his recovery. He spoke at length, and the Vatican's remaining concession to his condition is travel: Leo had been due to attend a meeting of religious leaders for peace in Assisi on Tuesday, but he cancelled the visit on Friday on the advice of his doctors. He asked the faithful to accompany that meeting with prayers instead.

Jordan in his prayers

The pope also said he was praying for those killed and wounded in what he called a "terrorist attack against Orthodox faithful" at the Hamoud church in Jordan on Friday. "I'm close to that community and the entire country, which is known for the peaceful and respectful coexistence of different religions," he said.

Why the Yemen appeal lands now

Taiz has been a frontline city for years, split between warring sides and short of basic supplies. A papal appeal does not move a blockade or a front line. What it does is put the city's name back into a news cycle that has moved on, from the mouth of a man whose own return to the window was the other story of the day. The Vatican chose to spend that attention on Yemen and on Jordan's attacked church, and on the Assisi meeting he cannot attend.

His doctors will decide the pace from here. The next public measure of his recovery is whether the lighter schedule holds, or whether the cancellations end with Assisi.