The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Leo XIV was admitted to a hospital in Rome on Tuesday for an operation to remove a nodule discovered in his lung during routine medical examinations.
The 71-year-old pontiff was admitted to the Gemelli Hospital, where the procedure was scheduled to take place on Tuesday afternoon. The hospitalisation marks his first since he became head of the Catholic Church on May 8, 2025.
The Vatican said doctors identified the pulmonary nodule at an early stage and recommended surgery. The condition involves a small growth of tissue in the lung, which may be benign or, in some cases, an indication of a more serious illness.
Pope Leo disclosed the discovery on Sunday after the Angelus prayers in St Peter’s Square, telling worshippers that doctors had found the nodule during recent medical checks.
“The doctors believe it would be right to intervene,” he said.
Before entering the hospital, the pontiff waved to well-wishers as he departed the Vatican by car. He also acknowledged people gathered outside the Gemelli Hospital before walking into the facility.
According to the Vatican, the operation will be handled by the hospital’s thoracic surgery team, led by Stefano Margaritora.
The pope is expected to remain in recovery for approximately one week. His scheduled audiences have been cancelled until October 20.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, said Pope Leo appeared calm about the procedure when they met on Monday.
Japanese Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi also described the pontiff as relaxed and in good spirits during their meeting, telling the Italian newspaper La Repubblica that he was “very relaxed, as he always is, and jokey, as usual”.
The Gemelli Hospital is a regular treatment centre for popes and has a specially equipped suite on its 10th floor. However, because the suite is undergoing renovation, Leo will occupy another room on the same floor during his stay.
The Chicago-born pontiff, the first American to lead the Catholic Church, is generally believed to be in good health.
His hospitalisation comes ahead of a planned visit to South America from November 6 to 17, during which he is expected to travel to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.
Medical experts say pulmonary nodules can have several causes, including inflammation, infection and other non-cancerous conditions. Some, however, may be malignant.
Thoracic surgery expert Marco Scarci told AFP that the procedure was not particularly risky and predicted that the pope could recover quickly, although regaining his previous level of physical fitness might take longer.
Professor Federico Venuta, head of thoracic surgery at Policlinico Umberto I Hospital in Rome, also said the outlook would generally be favourable if a malignant growth were detected at an early stage without evidence of distant spread.
The Vatican has historically disclosed limited information about papal health, although it provided more details during the illness of Pope Francis, Leo’s predecessor, who died last year.
Further details about Leo’s recovery and the possible impact of the operation on his upcoming engagements are expected as the Vatican provides updates.
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