Pope Leo XIV was admitted to Agostino Gemelli University Hospital in Rome on Tuesday for a surgical procedure to remove a small nodule from his lung. The pontiff, 71, stated that doctors discovered the nodule at a very early stage and recommended its removal.
The surgery is not expected to be lengthy, and Pope Leo XIV anticipates remaining hospitalized for approximately one week, according to Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni. "Doctors found a small lump in the lung," Leo said on Monday. "It was identified at a very early stage and well situated."
"The doctors consider it appropriate to intervene and so, following their advice, I decided to have surgery to remove it," he continued. "The surgery is already scheduled for the next few days. I thank you for your spiritual closeness and I rely on your prayer."
The Vatican has not disclosed whether the nodule is cancerous, and no further details regarding the pope's diagnosis or the planned procedure were immediately available. The surgery is likely to take place within days at Gemelli Hospital, a facility known as the "Pope's" hospital.
The announcement comes as a surprise for the American-born pontiff, who has no previously known health issues and is known for maintaining an active lifestyle. He regularly engages in sports such as tennis and swimming. The pope is also scheduled to begin an international trip on November 6, with planned stops in Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru. It remains unclear if the surgery and recovery period will affect these travel plans.
During his Sunday remarks, Pope Leo XIV also renewed his call for peace in Ukraine, noting the ongoing suffering caused by the conflict.
