Pope Leo XIV Admitted to Gemelli Hospital for Lung Nodule Surgery

Pope Leo XIV was admitted to Rome's Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic on Tuesday morning, October 13, for surgery to remove a small, localized nodule from his lung. The 71-year-old pontiff announced the procedure himself during the Sunday Angelus on October 11, telling pilgrims in St. Peter's Square that doctors had found the growth during recent routine checks and advised its removal.

The nodule was detected at a very early stage and is circumscribed, the Vatican has said. No determination has been made public on whether it is benign or malignant. The expected hospital stay is about one week. All papal audiences are cancelled through October 20.

Leo held a full schedule of audiences on Monday. He will miss the afternoon session marking the tenth anniversary of the apostolic exhortation Amoris laetitia. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle will preside at the closing Mass of a weeklong conference on family ministry on Wednesday in St. Peter's Square.

The surgery takes place at the Catholic teaching hospital that has treated previous popes, including John Paul II and Francis. A dedicated apartment exists for pontiffs. Recovery is projected to allow the November 6-17 trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru to proceed as planned. Leo stated on Sunday that he still intended to make the visit.

This is the first major public health event of Leo's 17-month pontificate. Elected in May 2025 after the death of Francis, the Chicago-born former Robert Francis Prevost has maintained an active schedule that includes weekly tennis and swimming at the Castel Gandolfo retreat. The Vatican described the recent checks that found the nodule as routine, with no particular health issue prompting them.

Italian officials, including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, offered well-wishes shortly after the Sunday announcement. Argentina's bishops called for prayers for a swift recovery. The pope entrusted himself to the prayers of the faithful during his Angelus remarks, delivered in Italian.

Lung nodules of this description are common and most often benign, though age and size influence risk. The Vatican has not released further diagnostic details. The decision for surgery reflects the medical advice given to the pontiff.

The hospital admission occurs amid ongoing global events, including conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. Leo's recovery timeline will determine how quickly he returns to public audiences and diplomatic engagements. The Vatican has not indicated any change to the Latin America itinerary beyond the one-week recovery estimate.