Pope Leo in Rome hospital for lung operation

Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery at a Rome hospital to remove a small growth from his lung on Tuesday, marking his first hospitalization since becoming head of the Catholic Church on May 8, 2025. The 71-year-old pope entered the Gemelli hospital smiling and waving, appearing relaxed about the procedure. The Vatican confirmed the surgery would take place on Tuesday afternoon, though there was no immediate word on when it began or concluded.

The Pope announced the nodule was discovered during routine medical checks, stating it was detected at an early stage. The surgery, led by the Gemelli hospital's thoracic surgery team under the direction of Stefano Margaritora, is expected to have a one-week recovery period. The Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, noted the Pope had been very calm about his condition during their meeting on Monday.

The Vatican has generally maintained secrecy regarding the Pope's health, but became more transparent during the illness of his predecessor, Francis.