- Pope Leo XIV was admitted to Rome's Agostino Gemelli University Hospital on Tuesday, October 13, for a scheduled lung operation
- Doctors discovered a small, localised nodule in the Pope's lung during routine medical examinations and advised surgical removal
- The thoracic surgery team at Gemelli, led by Professor Stefano Margaritora, is set to perform the procedure on Tuesday afternoon
Nancy Odindo is a current affairs writer at Tuko.co.ke (joined in 2023). She has one year of experience in print and more than five years in digital media.
Pope Leo XIV has been admitted to Rome's Agostino Gemelli University Hospital to undergo surgery for the removal of a small, localised nodule discovered in his lung, the Holy See Press Office confirmed on Tuesday, October 13.
Source: Facebook
The Pope himself broke the news to the faithful ahead of the admission, saying doctors had found the nodule during recent routine medical examinations.
He described it as having been detected at a very early stage and said he had chosen to follow medical advice and proceed with surgery.
Surgery details and hospital arrival
The operation is scheduled to take place on Tuesday afternoon and will be carried out by the hospital's thoracic surgery department under the direction of Professor Stefano Margaritora.
Holy See Press Office Director Matteo Bruni confirmed that the Pope is expected to remain at Gemelli for approximately one week following the procedure.
According to Vatican News, Pope Leo XIV arrived at the hospital at 1.07pm local time. Crowds gathered outside applauded and called out greetings as his vehicle entered the grounds.
Before going inside, the Pope greeted members of the hospital's leadership and paused to approach several patients, including individuals in wheelchairs. Staff, patients, and visitors lined his path through the hospital.
Prayers and messages of support
Messages of support have been arriving from churches and political leaders across the world since the Pope's hospitalisation was announced.
Inside the hospital, several religious sisters gathered at the St. John Paul II Chapel to pray for the Pope. Cardinal Baldassare Reina, the Pope's Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome, was scheduled to lead the Rosary at the chapel at 6pm, with parishes and religious communities throughout the diocese joining in.
Source: Facebook
Elena Beccalli, rector of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, conveyed the university's solidarity with the Pope.
"As he is admitted to the hospital, we accompany him with our prayers, mindful of the close bond between our university and the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital Foundation," she said. "We are also deeply grateful for his teaching, which urges us to place the dignity of every person at the center and to build dialogue and peace."
Wetang'ula meets Pope in Vatican
In other news, TUKO.co.ke highlighted National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula's Vatican trip, including his meeting with Pope Leo XIV and the Kenyan MPs who accompanied him.
Wetang'ula stated the gathering conveyed a message of peace, hope, and service to humanity, fostering an environment for participants to reflect on shared values that unite people globally.
The visit drew sharp reactions online, with Kenyans questioning the delegation and directing particular attention to MP Peter Kaluma’s presence.
Source: TUKO.co.ke