Pope Leo has been admitted to Gemelli Hospital in Rome for an operation to remove a small growth from his lung, marking the first major health event of his 17-month papacy. The Vatican announced that the procedure would take place on Tuesday afternoon, with all papal appointments cancelled through 20 October.
In an unusually candid address during his Sunday angelus prayer, the 71-year-old pontiff disclosed the discovery to crowds gathered in St Peter's Square.
"The doctors believe it would be right to intervene and so, following their advice, I have decided to have the operation to remove it,"he said, describing the growth as "well-contained" and detected early.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni explained that the nodule was found during routine medical examinations, with no particular health concern prompting the checkup. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, visited Leo on Monday evening and described the moment of disclosure as unexpected.
"The announcement came like a bolt out of the blue, nobody expected it. Thank God it was detected immediately, so the operation could take place immediately. Normally, when these things are caught in time, they can be resolved."
The operation is classified as low risk and will determine whether the nodule is malignant. The Vatican said the procedure will be performed by Gemelli's thoracic surgery team, led by Professor Stefano Margaritora, with an update expected that evening.
What is a lung nodule?
A lung nodule is an abnormal area smaller than 3 centimeters; if cancerous and removed early, surgery alone may be sufficient treatment, according to lung cancer expert Dr. Stephen Liu. The early detection in Leo's case aligns with medical guidance that prompt intervention typically yields better outcomes.
Who is Pope Leo?
The Chicago-born pontiff, who became the first US-born leader of the Roman Catholic Church in May last year, is generally believed to be in good health. He is known to enjoy sports, particularly tennis, and frequently uses the papal retreat at Castel Gandolfo near Rome. In September, he travelled to France on a papal visit and has a 12-day trip to South America scheduled for November, covering 10 cities.
Where will the Pope recover?
Leo will remain in the 10-floor private-patient wing of Gemelli Hospital, though not in the papal suite, which is currently undergoing renovation. The Vatican expects Leo to remain in hospital for about a week after surgery.
What happens to papal duties during recovery?
All papal appointments have been suspended until 20 October. The weekly papal audience scheduled for Wednesday will be led by Luis Antonio Tagle, a cardinal from the Philippines who was elected dean of the college of cardinals last week—the authority that presides over papal conclaves. The Vatican also said Leo would not attend the afternoon session marking the tenth anniversary of *Amoris laetitia*, which affects plans for the meeting's synthesis report.
Why is Gemelli Hospital significant?
Located in the north-west of Rome, Gemelli Hospital is renowned for treating reigning popes. Pope John Paul II stayed there so frequently that the Vatican collaborated with the hospital to establish a high-security papal suite. Leo's predecessor, Francis, spent more than five weeks in the hospital being treated for bronchitis, which developed into bilateral pneumonia. He was discharged and returned to his residence at Casa Santa Marta in Vatican City, where he died on 21 April 2025, less than a month later.
Key Facts
- Pope Leo, 71, is undergoing surgery to remove a lung nodule discovered during routine medical examinations
- The operation is classified as low risk and will determine whether the growth is malignant
- This marks the first major health event of his 17-month papacy
- All papal appointments are cancelled through 20 October, and Leo is expected to remain hospitalised for about a week post-surgery
- His scheduled November trip to South America and other commitments may be affected pending his recovery
