Pope Leo XIV undergoes surgery to remove lung nodule at Rome's Gemelli hospital

ROME — Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery Tuesday to remove a lung nodule, officials said, an operation that should determine whether the lesion is malignant and if other treatment is needed. After a quick drive from the Vatican, Leo walked into Rome's Gemelli hospital through the main entrance and waved to dozens of well-wishers who had gathered to greet him. The Vatican said the surgery would be performed by a team led by Gemelli’s chief thoracic surgeon, Dr. Stefano Margaritora. The surgery got under way as medical staff recited the Rosary prayer in the hospital chapel Tuesday evening, according to two people familiar with the plans who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. “Let us join together in prayer, asking the Lord to sustain our bishop, Pope Leo, and to comfort all those who are hospitalized here,” said the Vicar of Rome, Cardinal Baldassare Reina, at the start of the prayer. The 71-year-old American pontiff has offered a rare level of transparency about the first publicly disclosed major health problem of his 17-month papacy.