Pope Leo XIV Undergoes Lung Nodule Surgery

Pope Leo XIV was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Tuesday to undergo surgery to remove a lung nodule. The 71-year-old American pontiff's procedure is being performed by a team led by Dr. Stefano Margaritora, chief thoracic surgeon at Gemelli.

The Vatican stated that the surgery would take place later in the day. Experts suggest the operation will determine if the lesion is malignant and if further treatment is necessary. Pope Leo XIV publicly disclosed the discovery of the nodule during his Sunday noon prayer, announcing his intention to have it removed.

Oncologists have indicated that even if the nodule is cancerous, the pope's prognosis is expected to be excellent due to its early detection and removal. The surgery, typically conducted under general anesthesia, is anticipated to require a week-long hospital stay. In preparation, the Vatican announced on Monday the cancellation of all papal audiences through October 20.

Dr. Lorenzo Spaggiari, director of thoracic surgery at the European Institute of Oncology in Milan, who is not directly involved in the pope's care, commented that such nodules can often be treated effectively if the clinical situation matches the pope's description. He noted that the Gemelli team is skilled in these procedures.

Cardinal Kikuchi Tsutomu of Tokyo, who met with Pope Leo XIV on Monday, reported that the pontiff felt well and decided to proceed with the surgery promptly to avoid impacting his upcoming travel plans to Latin America. While Gemelli Hospital has a dedicated papal apartment, Pope Leo XIV will be housed in a nearby room due to ongoing renovations of the papal suite.

Surgical Procedure and Prognosis

Experts anticipate that the surgical team at Gemelli will likely perform a biopsy to ascertain if the nodule is cancerous, followed by the removal of the affected lung section or lobe. Spaggiari indicated that these procedures could potentially be performed consecutively using robotic techniques under a single anesthetic. Sophisticated robotic bronchoscopy technology, such as ION, can biopsy nodules as small as 3 millimeters. Gemelli Hospital is equipped with this technology, which has been available in Italy for two years.

Robotic surgical technology at Gemelli also allows for minimally invasive removal of the nodule. This technique typically involves small incisions through which robotic instruments are inserted, guided by the surgeon viewing a high-definition 3D display. While this robotic approach has been established for two decades, it remains uncertain which specific technique will be employed for the pontiff's surgery.

Gemelli has documented cases where both robotic diagnostic and operative procedures were completed in under four hours. The risk associated with the biopsy is considered minimal, and the surgical mortality rate for patients in good health with adequate heart and lung function is very low, estimated between 0.6% and 0.8%.

During the surgery, lymph nodes draining the affected area will also be removed. If these lymph nodes test negative for cancer, indicating Stage 1, the outlook is deemed very positive, and no additional treatment may be necessary. The Vatican confirmed the nodule was discovered during routine medical checks.

Recovery and Travel Plans

The European Institute of Oncology advises patients to avoid flying for three weeks post-surgery. This recovery period would align with Pope Leo XIV's scheduled international trip from November 6 to 17, which includes visits to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru. The itinerary for this trip is extensive, involving considerable travel and altitude changes, particularly in Peru.

Cardinal Kikuchi conveyed that the pope's decision to undergo surgery soon was motivated by a desire to maintain his travel schedule. He emphasized that there was no immediate cause for concern, as the situation was not an emergency.

A lung nodule is defined as a small abnormal area, less than 3 centimeters in diameter, often incidentally found on CT scans performed for other reasons. These nodules can be benign or malignant, and surgical removal is frequently recommended to diagnose and treat any potential malignancy in its early stages.

This hospitalization marks Pope Leo XIV's second. He is known for his active lifestyle, including weekly tennis and swimming. His first hospitalization occurred in 1985 when, as a young missionary priest in Peru, he contracted typhoid fever. This experience profoundly influenced his decision to remain in Peru, a choice that ultimately contributed to his path to the papacy.