Pope to be admitted to hospital for lung operation
Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to undergo surgery at Rome's Gemelli hospital to remove a small, well-contained nodule found on his lung during a routine check-up. The Vatican expects a week-long recovery period and has cancelled all public events for the Pope until October 20.
Why it matters
As the first US-born Pope, his health is a matter of significant global interest, particularly given his upcoming international travel schedule.
Pope Leo XIV will have surgery at Rome's Gemelli hospital this afternoon to remove a small growth on one of his lungs, in the first major health issue of his 17-month tenure.
The pope said on Sunday that the growth, a small nodule, had been found on a recent check-up, was "well-contained" and had been spotted early.
The Vatican confirmed the timing of the surgery after Pope Leo was seen leaving the Vatican in a convoy of vehicles headed for Gemelli hospital, about 9km north of the Vatican.
The Vatican has said his recovery is expected to take about a week. All his public events have been cancelled until 20 October.
Pope Leo, 71, elected by the world's cardinals in May 2025, is relatively young for a Church leader.
He enjoys sports, including tennis, and is not known to be a smoker or to have had health issues previously.
Also covering this story
4 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Pope Leo admitted to hospital for operation to remove growth on lung
Pope will be admitted to hospital Tuesday for lung nodule surgery, Vatican says - AP News
Pope admitted to hospital for surgery to remove lump on his lung
Pope Leo to be hospitalized Tuesday for surgery to remove a lung nodule - NBC News
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