Vatican City, Oct 13
Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to undergo surgery to remove a small, localised nodule in his lung after the growth was detected during a routine medical examination. The 71-year-old pontiff was due to be admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday, with the Vatican expecting his recovery to take approximately one week.
The Vatican said the nodule was well-contained and had been identified at an early stage. The precise timing of the operation was not disclosed. The announcement marks the first major publicly reported health issue of Pope Leo’s papacy, which began in May 2025.
The Pope maintained his scheduled engagements on Monday, meeting bishops from different countries and attending other appointments before his hospitalisation. All his public engagements have been cancelled until October 20 to allow him time to recover.
A lung nodule is a small area of abnormal tissue that may be detected during imaging tests. Such nodules can have several causes, and their discovery does not necessarily indicate cancer. The decision to remove the growth will allow doctors to address the identified lesion, although the Vatican has not announced a diagnosis beyond the presence of the nodule.
The Pope has also indicated that he intends to proceed with his planned pastoral visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17. The trip is expected to take place after the anticipated recovery period, though his ability to undertake the schedule will depend on medical advice.
Pope Leo’s hospitalisation comes as the Vatican continues its regular administrative and pastoral work. His temporary absence from public engagements is expected to be managed through the Church’s established arrangements, while further information about his recovery may be released by the Vatican.