Pope Leo XIV Undergoes Surgery to Remove Lung Nodule

Pope Leo XIV entered the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital in Rome on Tuesday 13 October for surgery to remove a pulmonary nodule. The 71-year-old pontiff walked into the hospital and waved to well-wishers gathered outside. The Vatican said the operation would be performed by the hospital’s thoracic surgery team led by Professor Stefano Margaritora. An update was expected in the evening.

Leo announced the procedure himself during the Angelus prayer in St Peter’s Square on Sunday 11 October. He told the crowd that doctors had found a circumscribed nodule in his lung during recent medical checks. It had been detected at a very early stage and was well localised. He said the doctors recommended intervention and that he had decided to follow their advice. The Vatican press office stated that recovery is expected to take about one week and that all audiences are cancelled until 20 October.

This is the first hospitalisation of Leo’s 17-month pontificate. He was elected on 8 May 2025. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the secretary of state, told ANSA that Leo had appeared very calm about the nodule when they met on Monday. The pope held his scheduled audiences on Monday morning before leaving for the hospital late on Tuesday morning. He arrived at Gemelli at 1:07 p.m.

The procedure is expected to establish whether the nodule is malignant. Oncologists have said that even if tests show cancer, the prognosis would be favourable because the growth was removed at an early stage and had not spread to lymph nodes. The operation is normally performed under general anaesthesia. Gemelli has a dedicated papal suite that has treated previous pontiffs, including John Paul II and Francis.

Leo has a planned trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from 6 to 17 November. He said on Sunday that he still intended to make the journey. Vatican officials have not said whether the recovery period will require any changes to the itinerary. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wished him a successful surgery and full recovery. Archbishop Daniel Sturla of Montevideo asked the faithful to pray for a speedy recovery and to continue preparations for the visit.

The disclosure was unusual in its directness. Previous popes have often released health information through the press office rather than in person during a public blessing. Leo used the Angelus to control the message and to ask for prayers. Messages of support have arrived from church leaders and political figures around the world. No further medical details have been released beyond the early-stage characterisation of the nodule.

The Vatican has not indicated any other health concerns. Leo is expected to remain at Gemelli for roughly seven days. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle is scheduled to lead the closing Mass of a family ministry conference on Wednesday in the pope’s place. The outcome of the surgery and the pathology results will determine whether additional treatment is required.