Pope Leo heads to Rome hospital for lung operation
Pope Leo XIV was due to be admitted to hospital in Rome on Tuesday for surgery to remove a nodule on his lung, an operation experts say is generally low-risk. The 71-year-old will head to the Gemelli hospital in the late morning, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni told AFP . The surgery to remove a pulmonary nodule, or small growth of tissue in the lung, will mark the pope’s first hospitalisation…
Pope Leo XIV is set to undergo surgery at the Gemelli hospital in Rome on Tuesday to remove a nodule from his lung. The 71-year-old pontiff, who is the first U.S. pope, will be admitted in the late morning, according to Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni. This marks the first hospitalization for the pope since his installation on May 8, 2025.
During a surprise announcement on Sunday, Pope Leo informed the faithful in St Peter's Square that doctors had discovered the nodule during routine medical checks. He described the nodule as being found "at a very early stage" and said the doctors believed the surgery was necessary. Despite this, his recovery time is expected to be around a week, and his audiences have been canceled until October 20.
The Vatican has become more transparent about the health of the pope since the previous pope, Francis, openly discussed his ailments. Leo is expected to stay in a special top-floor suite at Gemelli hospital, which is under high security, and will be accompanied by his personal nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti.
Thoracic surgery expert Professor Federico Venuta from the Policlinico Umberto 1 hospital in Rome stated that the operation is generally low-risk and that the pope's outlook is "very positive". Even if the nodule turns out to be malignant, the prognosis for lung cancer caught at this early stage is favorable. In terms of the upcoming Latin American trip scheduled for November 6-17, it is recommended to avoid air travel for about 20 days following the surgery, though there is some flexibility.
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