Pope Leo in Rome hospital for surgery
Leo has been unusually candid for a pontiff about his health issues, disclosing the surgery to thousands of people in St. Peter's Square.
Pope Leo XIV is set to undergo surgery on Tuesday at Rome's Gemelli hospital to remove a nodule from his lung, according to the Vatican. The health check is aimed at determining if the nodule is cancerous. The 71-year-old pontiff, speaking to thousands of worshippers during a prayer service on Sunday, marked a significant increase in transparency regarding his health compared to previous popes.
In the past, the Vatican frequently faced criticism for providing confusing or vague information about the health of its leaders. The surgery will require the pontiff to be under general anesthesia and will necessitate a week-long hospital stay. All of Leo's engagements have been canceled until October 20, but he is still expected to attend a planned trip to South America in November.
Oncologists state that such a procedure is typically performed to ascertain whether a lump is malignant, but in Leo's case, early detection offers an excellent prognosis.
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