Pope Leo XIV was hospitalized at Gemelli hospital in Rome on Tuesday for a surgery to remove a lung nodule, a procedure crucial for determining the nature of the lesion and any necessary follow-up treatment.
Arriving at the hospital from the Vatican, Pope Leo greeted well-wishers before going in for the operation led by Dr. Stefano Margaritora, Gemelli’s chief thoracic surgeon. The surgery, scheduled for the afternoon, was publicly disclosed by the 71-year-old American pontiff after he announced the discovery of the nodule during his Sunday noon prayer.
The surgery, typically conducted under general anesthesia, mandates a week-long hospital stay, leading the Vatican to cancel all of Leo’s scheduled audiences until October 20.
Dr. Lorenzo Spaggiari, from the European Institute of Oncology in Milan, who is not part of the pope’s medical team but is acquainted with the Gemelli staff, expressed optimism about the situation, emphasizing that the nodule can be effectively treated if the clinical assessment aligns with the pope’s description.
During a meeting on Monday, Tokyo Cardinal Kikuchi Tsutomu mentioned that Leo felt well and opted for immediate surgery to avoid disrupting his upcoming travel plans to Latin America. Despite logistical challenges due to ongoing renovations at the papal apartment in Gemelli, Leo will be housed in a nearby room during his recovery.
Elected by the cardinals in May 2025, the relatively youthful Pope Leo is known for his active lifestyle, which includes sports like tennis, and has no history of smoking or prior health concerns.
A lung nodule is a localized and typically benign lesion, with a low probability of being cancerous according to the American Thoracic Society. Dr. Federico Venuto, the chief thoracic surgeon at Rome’s Policlinico Umberto I hospital, highlighted that procedures to remove such nodules are minimally invasive and often involve the use of a thoracoscope.
The Vatican confirmed that the nodule was discovered during routine checks, indicating that the pope likely underwent several tests before surgery was recommended. Dr. Spaggiari, from EIO Milan, remarked that the situation was fortuitous as the nodule was asymptomatic, possibly preventing further complications.
Leo’s upcoming trip to South America in November poses a challenge as EIO advises against air travel for three weeks post-surgery. However, with a tight window for recovery, the pope aims to fulfill his travel commitments, covering extensive distances and altitude changes across multiple countries.
Assuring the public about Leo’s well-being, Dr. Spaggiari praised the medical staff at Gemelli for their expertise and expressed confidence in the pope’s recovery. Archbishop Kikuchi from Tokyo echoed these sentiments, emphasizing Leo’s decision for prompt surgery to ensure his travel plans remain unaffected, alleviating concerns about any emergency situation.