Pope Leo enters Rome hospital for lung surgery to excise nodule

Pope Leo XIV has entered Rome's Gemelli Hospital to undergo an operation on Tuesday to extract a small growth discovered on his lung. The 71-year-old pontiff is facing his first hospital stay since being elected head of the Catholic Church.

The scheduled procedure will take place on Tuesday afternoon at the Agostino Gemelli University Policlinic, a Rome medical center with historic ties to the Holy See. During his regular address to pilgrims in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, the pope disclosed that physicians had found a lung nodule and recommended its removal. He assured followers that the mass was identified early, describing it as well-contained. Lung nodules are compact clusters of tissue that frequently turn out to be benign.

According to Vatican officials, the finding came during routine medical screenings. Prior to this, the American pontiff had no known major medical conditions and has maintained an active lifestyle that includes swimming and tennis.

In preparation for the procedure and subsequent convalescence, the pontiff suspended his public appearances until October 20. A Vatican representative indicated that recovery from the intervention is expected to take roughly one week. Even during periods when a pope is undergoing medical treatment, church governance does not shift to an interim authority; the leader retains ultimate oversight, while existing administrative bodies continue handling standard daily bureaucracy. Official matters requiring a papal signature will wait until he is back on duty.

External medical experts note that operations to extract such nodules tend to be minimally invasive and carry a low risk of complications, typically allowing patients to return home after a brief hospital stay.

Despite the pending procedure, Pope Leo maintained a full slate of duties on Monday, including morning appointments and discussions with church leaders and bishops at the Vatican. News of the impending operation has drawn expressions of support and prayers from Catholic faithful and visitors in Rome, including pilgrims from the pontiff's native Chicago.