The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Leo XIV was admitted to a hospital in Rome on Tuesday for an operation to take away a nodule found in his lung throughout routine medical examinations.
The 71-year-old pontiff was admitted to the Gemelli Hospital, the place the process was scheduled to happen on Tuesday afternoon. The hospitalisation marks his first since he turned head of the Catholic Church on May 8, 2025.
The Vatican mentioned docs recognized the pulmonary nodule at an early stage and beneficial surgical procedure. The situation entails a small progress of tissue within the lung, which can be benign or, in some instances, a sign of a extra severe sickness.
Pope Leo disclosed the invention on Sunday after the Angelus prayers in St Peter’s Square, telling worshippers that docs had discovered the nodule throughout latest medical checks.
“The doctors believe it would be right to intervene,” he mentioned.
Before coming into the hospital, the pontiff waved to well-wishers as he departed the Vatican by automotive. He additionally acknowledged individuals gathered outdoors the Gemelli Hospital earlier than strolling into the ability.
According to the Vatican, the operation will probably be dealt with by the hospital’s thoracic surgical procedure crew, led by Stefano Margaritora.
The pope is predicted to stay in restoration for roughly one week. His scheduled audiences have been cancelled till October 20.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, mentioned Pope Leo appeared calm concerning the process once they met on Monday.
Japanese Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi additionally described the pontiff as relaxed and in good spirits throughout their assembly, telling the Italian newspaper La Repubblica that he was “very relaxed, as he always is, and jokey, as usual”.
The Gemelli Hospital is a daily therapy centre for popes and has a specifically geared up suite on its tenth flooring. However, as a result of the suite is present process renovation, Leo will occupy one other room on the identical flooring throughout his keep.
The Chicago-born pontiff, the primary American to guide the Catholic Church, is usually believed to be in good well being.
His hospitalisation comes forward of a deliberate go to to South America from November 6 to 17, throughout which he’s anticipated to journey to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.
Medical consultants say pulmonary nodules can have a number of causes, together with irritation, an infection and different non-cancerous circumstances. Some, nonetheless, could also be malignant.
Thoracic surgical procedure knowledgeable Marco Scarci advised AFP that the process was not notably dangerous and predicted that the pope may get well rapidly, though regaining his earlier degree of bodily health would possibly take longer.
Professor Federico Venuta, head of thoracic surgical procedure at Policlinico Umberto I Hospital in Rome, additionally mentioned the outlook would usually be beneficial if a malignant progress had been detected at an early stage with out proof of distant unfold.
The Vatican has traditionally disclosed restricted details about papal well being, though it supplied extra particulars throughout the sickness of Pope Francis, Leo’s predecessor, who died final 12 months.
Further particulars about Leo’s restoration and the attainable impression of the operation on his upcoming engagements are anticipated because the Vatican gives updates.
