Pope Leo XIV To Undergo Lung Surgery In Rome After Nodule Detection; Public Audiences Cancelled Until October 20

Vatican City - Pope Leo XIV will undergo surgery on Tuesday to remove a lung nodule, according to the Vatican. The procedure necessitates a week-long hospital stay for recovery. In an unprecedented move, the Vatican disclosed the pope's health issue ahead of the surgery, a stark contrast to the usual secrecy surrounding papal ailments.

On Sunday, during his noon prayer, Pope Leo XIV disclosed the discovery of the lung nodule, following doctors' advice to have it removed. The Vatican press office clarified that there was no specific incident that prompted the medical tests, debunking Italian media speculation linking the issue to an inflammation.

The 71-year-old pontiff maintained a strong and clear voice during his appearances, including a recent audience with members of a Rome-based charity, the Circolo San Pietro. He also received a donation from the charity and delivered a speech praising their service and sacrifice.

The surgery, while unexpected, did not disrupt the pope's schedule completely. He had six private audiences, made three appointments, and penned a letter to the outgoing dean of the College of Cardinals, expressing gratitude for his service. The letter was released by the Vatican on Sunday.

Notably, the surgery coincides with Pope Leo XIV's first major health event in his 17-month papacy, marking a significant shift in the way the Vatican handles papal health information. The transparency demonstrated by the American pope has been praised, especially considering previous instances of the Vatican's reluctance to reveal papal illnesses.