Pope Leo XIV Schedules Lung Nodule Surgery in Rome Hospital

Pope Leo XIV will be admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on October 13 for surgery to remove a localized lung nodule discovered during recent medical examinations, the Vatican said, with the 71-year-old pontiff expected to remain hospitalized for about one week.

The Vatican confirmed the procedure after Leo held scheduled meetings on Monday, including private audiences and appointments. The Holy See said the medical checks were routine and were not triggered by a specific health issue.

Leo announced the planned operation during his Sunday Angelus prayer, saying doctors advised removing the nodule. The Vatican said all papal audiences were canceled through October 20 because of the hospitalization.

"in the coming days." was the phrase Pope Leo XIV used when referring to the timing of the operation, according to his Sunday announcement.

"The doctors believe that it is best to intervene, so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to remove it." Pope Leo XIV said in a statement. "The operation is already scheduled to take place in the coming days. I thank you for your spiritual closeness and entrust myself to your prayers."

The Vatican said the surgery will require changes to the pope’s schedule, including a Mass on October 14 in St. Peter’s Square that Leo will no longer preside over. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle will lead the celebration instead.

"small, localized lung nodule" described the condition referenced by the Vatican, according to the Holy See Press Office.

"late in the morning" described the planned admission time to Gemelli Hospital, according to the Holy See Press Office.

Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office, said the examinations that detected the nodule were routine checks. The Vatican also said Leo wants to hear conclusions from a family ministry meeting after his recovery.

"During the Mass, we will pray especially for the Holy Father’s health, as well as for families," Fr. Giacomo Costa said, according to his remarks about the revised event schedule.

Fr. Costa, who oversees methodology for the meeting and serves as a consultor to the General Secretariat of the Synod, explained that Leo delayed publication of the meeting’s synthesis report so he could first hear its contents.

"I think this desire of his to listen is beautiful," Fr. Giacomo Costa said.

A lung nodule is a small abnormal area that can appear on imaging scans, according to medical explanations cited by ABC News and NBC News. Such nodules can be benign or malignant, and surgery may be used to determine whether cancer is present.

"Even at an advanced age, I know the pope is in his 70s, but he's in very good health and active," Dr. Samuel Kim, a professor of surgery at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, said.

"The pope should be able to have the operation pretty well and recover. So, I'm very optimistic about the prognosis for our pope." Dr. Samuel Kim said.