Pope Leo XIV Admitted to Rome Hospital for Lung Surgery

Pope Leo XIV has been admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital to undergo surgery for the removal of a lung nodule. The Vatican confirmed that the growth was identified during routine medical examinations and that the operation took place on Tuesday afternoon.

The 71-year-old pontiff made the announcement himself on Sunday while delivering the traditional Angelus blessing from the balcony of St. Peter’s Square. He described the nodule as “contained” and noted that it had been detected at a very early stage, though medical professionals advised surgical removal.

Upon arriving at the hospital, Pope Leo was greeted by a large crowd of supporters who had waited for hours to see him. As he passed through barriers, he waved and smiled to the cheers of onlookers. Hospital staff welcomed him on the steps, offering reassurance to the Pope, who responded with a smile.

Vatican officials stated that the Gemelli’s thoracic surgery team performed the procedure and promised to provide an update on the Pope’s condition on Tuesday evening. His schedule has been cleared until October 20 to allow for adequate recovery time. While nodules are common and not always indicative of cancer, removed growths are typically tested to rule out the disease.

The Vatican emphasized that Pope Leo, generally regarded as being in good health, showed no symptoms of infection or illness prior to the diagnosis. Cardinal Kikuchi Tarcisio Isao of Tokyo revealed on social media that he had an audience with the Pope on Monday, describing him as feeling physically fine. The Cardinal noted that the Pope wished to resolve the issue promptly to ensure he could proceed with his planned trip to Latin America in early November.

The upcoming journey is considered significant due to a scheduled visit to Peru, where Pope Leo served as a missionary and bishop for many years. Despite the reassurances from church leadership, the news has caused concern among Catholics globally.

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin admitted to journalists on Tuesday that he was worried, calling the news a “bolt from the blue.” However, he highlighted the Pontiff’s “serenity” and expressed confidence in his recovery. Outside the hospital, devoted followers remained hopeful. One pilgrim, Carla, stated that the Pope appeared calm, which helped soothe her own anxieties. Another faithful, Elsa, expressed shock, noting that she had envisioned a younger, healthier leader upon his election, but hoped the condition would remain superficial and manageable.