Pope Leo XIV expressed his gratitude to thousands of worshippers in St Peter's Square on Sunday as he made his first public appearance following surgery for lung cancer.

The 71-year-old pontiff appeared before the crowd just a day after being discharged from Rome's Gemelli Polyclinic, where he underwent an operation to remove the lower lobe of his right lung.

"I would like to thank everyone who has prayed for me over these past days. I truly felt your support [...] I express special gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and all the staff of the Gemelli Polyclinic," the pontiff said.

Leo underwent surgery on October 13 after doctors discovered a suspicious growth during a routine medical examination.

Further tests confirmed adenocarcinoma, a form of lung cancer.

According to the Vatican, the operation was successful, and doctors reported no complications.

The pontiff was discharged from hospital on Saturday, earlier than initially expected.

During Sunday's appearance, Leo also expressed solidarity with people suffering from illnesses and confirmed that he would gradually resume his responsibilities.

"Having overcome this delicate phase, as you know, I will now gradually resume my activities, always with God's help and your prayers. Thank you again," he announced.

Despite his discharge, doctors have advised the pope to continue resting before returning to a full schedule of public engagements.

His recovery has also raised questions about upcoming papal activities, particularly a planned visit to South America in November.

The Vatican has not announced any changes to the scheduled trip.

“He will get better. For God, nothing is impossible,” said Magdalena, one of the worshippers.

The Pope's hospitalisation has also raised concerns over his planned visit to Peru in November, with some devotees fearing his recovery could affect the trip.

“We believe that the Pope's health comes first, that he should recover, get better, and later be able to visit us,” said Maria, another attendee.

Pope Leo XIV, who holds Peruvian citizenship and previously served in Chiclayo, has strong ties to the country. Some worshippers expressed hope that he would still be able to visit once his health improves.

According to the Vatican, the Pope underwent surgery at Rome's Gemelli Hospital on October 13. The operation was successful and without complications, and he was reported to be recovering under medical supervision.

His South American tour is scheduled for November 6–17, with stops in Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. The Vatican has not announced any changes to the itinerary.

The United States remains the world's largest contributor to global financial secrecy, according to the Financial Secrecy Index 2025 published by the Tax Justice Network, highlighting ongoing concerns about hidden wealth, offshore finance, and transparency in the international financial system.

The index ranks jurisdictions based on their contribution to global financial secrecy, combining secrecy levels with the scale of financial services provided to non-residents. The latest report places the United States at the top with a Financial Secrecy Index (FSI) value of 2,018, well ahead of Switzerland and Singapore.

The Tax Justice Network found that the United States accounts for 25.54% of the global market for offshore financial services , giving it the largest influence on worldwide financial secrecy.

Analysts say the country's vast financial sector, combined with varying transparency requirements across states, continues to attract international wealth and corporate structures.

Switzerland, long associated with private banking secrecy, ranked second with an FSI value of 1,398, followed by Singapore (1,228) and Hong Kong (1,111).

Several of the world's biggest financial hubs featured prominently in the top 10, including Luxembourg, Germany, the Netherlands and Japan .

According to the Tax Justice Network, the rankings do not necessarily indicate illegal activity. Instead, they measure how laws, regulations and financial practices can enable assets and ownership structures to remain hidden from foreign authorities.

The organisation argues that greater transparency is essential for combating tax evasion, money laundering and illicit financial flows.

Financial secrecy has become an increasingly important issue for governments seeking to recover lost tax revenues and strengthen oversight of cross-border financial transactions.

International bodies such as the OECD, the International Monetary Fund, and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) have pushed for greater information sharing and beneficial ownership disclosure in recent years.

Despite those efforts, the Tax Justice Network says major economies and financial centres still play a significant role in facilitating opaque financial arrangements.

India has overtaken China to become the world's most populous nation, marking a historic demographic shift that is already reshaping global economic growth, labour markets and geopolitical influence.

According to the United Nations World Population Prospects 2024 , India's population is projected to continue growing for several decades, while China's is expected to decline steadily as the effects of low birth rates and population ageing intensify.

The latest UN projections highlight a dramatic reversal in demographic fortunes between the two Asian giants, which together account for more than one-third of humanity.

UN estimates indicate that India's population has risen from approximately 201 million in 1800 to around 1.46 billion today , making it the world's largest country by population .

Under the UN's medium-fertility scenario, India's population is projected to reach roughly 1.68 billion by 2050, before gradually declining to around 1.51 billion by the end of the century.

The growth has been driven by improvements in healthcare, declining mortality rates and a relatively young population. India currently has one of the world's largest working-age populations, a demographic advantage economists often refer to as a "demographic dividend."

However, experts note that turning population growth into economic prosperity will depend on creating sufficient jobs, expanding education and improving infrastructure.

China's demographic story is moving in the opposite direction.

The UN estimates China's population grew from around 330 million in 1800 to a peak of more than 1.4 billion in recent decades. Yet falling fertility rates, rising living costs and longer life expectancy have contributed to a sustained population decline.

Under current projections, China's population is expected to fall from about 1.41 billion today to 1.26 billion by 2050, before shrinking further to approximately 633 million by 2100.

The decline reflects one of the most significant demographic transitions in modern history. China's fertility rate remains well below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman despite policy efforts aimed at encouraging larger families.

The ceremony marked a major milestone for the world-famous basilica designed by Antoni Gaudí, with Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia among those attending the event.

Crowds filled the area surrounding the church as the inauguration took place. Later, the Sagrada Familia was illuminated and fireworks lit up the night sky to celebrate the occasion.

Standing at 172.5 metres, the Tower of Jesus Christ is the tallest of the basilica's planned 18 towers. The structure is crowned by a five-storey ceramic cross and serves as the central tower of the monument.

The completion and blessing of the tower officially make the Sagrada Familia the tallest church in the world .

The event also coincided with the 100th anniversary of Gaudí's death.

The architect, whose vision shaped the basilica, died in 1926, leaving behind a project that has continued to evolve for more than a century.

The blessing of the Tower of Jesus Christ marks one of the most significant moments in the history of the Sagrada Familia and its ongoing construction.