Pope Leo XIV undergoes planned medical care for a lung nodule at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, with the Vatican expecting a recovery period of around one week.
Web Desk: Pope Leo XIV was admitted to Rome’s Agostino Gemelli University Hospital on Tuesday for surgery to remove a small nodule from his lung, according to the Vatican.
The 71-year-old pontiff was scheduled to undergo the operation on Tuesday afternoon. Vatican officials said the growth had been detected at an early stage during routine medical examinations and that his hospital stay was expected to last approximately one week.
The procedure marks Pope Leo XIV’s first hospitalisation since he became head of the Catholic Church on May 8, 2025.
The Vatican said the operation would be carried out by the hospital’s thoracic surgery team, led by Professor Stefano Margaritora. Further information about the procedure was expected later on Tuesday.
Lung Nodule Discovered During Routine Checks
Pope Leo announced the planned operation on Sunday following the Angelus prayer in St Peter’s Square.
He said doctors had discovered a small, localised lung nodule during recent medical checks and recommended removing it.
The Vatican subsequently clarified that the examinations were routine and that the discovery had not been prompted by reported symptoms.
A pulmonary nodule is a small growth of tissue in the lung. Such growths can have several causes, including inflammation, infection and other conditions. Many are benign, although some require further investigation to rule out cancer.
The nature of the pope’s nodule and its final diagnosis had not been confirmed in the available reports before the operation.
Vatican Expects Recovery of About One Week
Vatican officials said Pope Leo was expected to remain in hospital for approximately a week following the procedure.
His public audiences and scheduled engagements were cancelled through October 20 to allow time for the operation and recovery.
The Vatican had not announced a confirmed post-operative outcome in the initial reports available for this article. An update from the Holy See Press Office was expected later on Tuesday.
Medical experts quoted by Agence France-Presse said surgery to remove a lung nodule is generally considered manageable, although the precise risks and recovery depend on the individual patient and the procedure performed.
The pope’s personal medical assessment and the results of the operation will determine any further treatment or recovery requirements.
Gemelli Hospital Has Treated Previous Popes
Rome’s Gemelli Hospital has a long history of treating popes, including Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis.
Francis received treatment at the hospital during several periods of illness before his death in April 2025.
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, became the first US-born pope when he was elected in May 2025. Before his election, he spent many years working in Peru, where he also served as a bishop.
His planned operation has drawn international attention because it is the first publicly disclosed hospitalisation of his papacy.
November South America Trip Remains a Key Schedule Item
Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17.
The trip includes Peru, where he spent much of his missionary and ecclesiastical career before becoming pope.
Reports published before the operation said the visit remained on the schedule. However, the final impact of the procedure on his travel plans would depend on his recovery and any subsequent Vatican announcement.
