Pope Leo XIV Undergoes Lung Nodule Surgery in Rome

Pope Leo XIV was admitted to a hospital in Rome on Tuesday for surgery to remove a pulmonary nodule, a small growth of tissue in the lung. This marks the 71-year-old pontiff's first hospitalization since he became head of the Catholic Church on May 8, 2025.

The Vatican announced that the operation would occur on Tuesday afternoon. Leo disclosed the nodule's discovery during recent medical checks to the faithful in St Peter's Square, stating that doctors recommended intervention.

He was seen smiling and waving at crowds as he arrived at Rome's Gemelli Hospital. The surgery will be performed by the hospital's thoracic surgery team, led by Stefano Margaritora.

The pope's recovery is expected to take about a week, with his audiences canceled until October 20. Cardinal Pietro Parolin noted that the pope was calm about the situation, while Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi described him as relaxed and jokey.

The nodule was found during routine checks, and while most are benign, some can indicate early-stage lung cancer.