Pope Leo XIV was admitted to Gemelli hospital in Rome on Tuesday for surgery to remove a lung nodule. The Vatican confirmed the procedure follows a routine check, with a recovery period expected to last about a week.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
Pope Leo XIV was admitted to the Gemelli hospital in Rome on Tuesday morning to undergo surgery for the removal of a lung nodule. The Vatican announced the admission on Monday, stating that the procedure would take place in the first days of the week. The 71-year-old pontiff revealed the discovery of the nodule during his Sunday noon prayer, noting that doctors advised its removal.
The nodule was discovered during recent medical tests. The Vatican press office stated on Monday that no particular issue precipitated the tests, denying Italian media reports suggesting an inflammation had prompted the checkup. According to the Vatican, the nodule is in a "very initial phase" and is well localized.
Medical experts consulted by news outlets described the procedure as generally low-risk. Dr. Lorenzo Spaggiari, director of thoracic surgery at the European Institute of Oncology in Milan, noted that robotic technology could be used for both biopsy and removal. "It’s a very well-established technology. This is something we have been doing for 20 years," Spaggiari said. He added that if the nodule is cancerous, the prognosis is "excellent" because it will have been removed at an early stage.
Dr. Kalvin Lung of Northwestern Medicine Canning Thoracic Institute explained that such abnormalities are relatively common and usually non-cancerous. "Once a piece of lung with the nodule is removed, all of it goes to the lab to be processed, and depending on how complicated the diagnosis is, we can get the answer pretty quickly," Lung said.
The Vatican canceled all of Pope Leo’s audiences through October 20 to accommodate the surgery and recovery. The Vatican predicted a weeklong recovery period. Despite the hospitalization, Pope Leo intends to proceed with a planned trip to South America from November 6-17, which includes visits to Peru, Argentina and Uruguay.
Dr. Federico Venuta, head of Thoracic Surgery at the Policlinico Umberto 1 hospital in Rome, noted that while the general rule is to avoid air travel for about 20 days following such surgeries, there is "obviously some flexibility." Dr. Marco Scarci, a thoracic surgery expert in the UK, told AFP that he expected a quick recovery, though it "might take up to three months to return to his pre-surgery fitness level."
Pope Leo, the first American pope, was born in Chicago. On Monday, Catholics in the Chicago area gathered at St. Mary of the Angels Church in Bucktown to pray for his recovery. "We all know that he's from the South Side, and that South Siders are tough, and that it can't keep him down," a priest at the Mass said.
The Midwest Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel issued a statement expressing support. "We pray that the Lord will bless the physicians and caregivers entrusted with his care, and we pray for his swift and complete recovery," said Fr. Tom McCarthy, O.S.A., Prior Provincial of the province.
This event marks the first major health issue of Pope Leo XIV's 17-month pontificate. The Vatican's approach to disclosing the information has been noted for its transparency. Unlike previous popes, whose health issues were often guarded or communicated with limited detail, Leo publicly announced the diagnosis and the planned surgery during a public address in St. Peter's Square. This openness contrasts with the historical practice of the Vatican, which has often controlled information regarding papal illnesses tightly.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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