Pope Leo XIV will be admitted to hospital on Tuesday morning for surgery to remove a small growth from his lung, the Vatican has announced.
The 71-year-old pontiff disclosed on Sunday that he would undergo the operation in the coming days after doctors discovered a pulmonary nodule during recent medical checks.
According to AFP, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni confirmed on Monday that the Pope would be admitted in the late morning. The recovery period is expected to last about a week.
The operation is expected to take place at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, which has a dedicated suite for treating popes.
Pope Leo XIV Reveals Lung Condition
The planned operation will mark Pope Leo XIV’s first hospitalisation since he became head of the Catholic Church on May 8, 2025.
Speaking to worshippers gathered in St Peter’s Square after the Angelus prayers on Sunday, Leo said doctors had detected the nodule at an early stage.
“The doctors believe it would be right to intervene and so, following their advice, I have decided to have the operation to remove it,” he said.
A pulmonary nodule is a small growth of tissue in the lung. Most nodules are benign, meaning they are not cancerous, although some can indicate an early stage of lung cancer.
Small nodules often cause no symptoms and are frequently discovered during medical examinations for other conditions. Larger growths can sometimes cause shortness of breath, chest pain and persistent coughing.
The planned procedure is generally performed under general anaesthesia, with the patient breathing through a tube.
Gemelli Hospital’s History of Treating Popes
Gemelli Hospital, located north of the Vatican in Rome, has long served as a major medical facility for popes.
Pope Francis, Leo’s predecessor, spent weeks at the hospital receiving treatment before his death last year.
Pope John Paul II, who led the Catholic Church from 1978 until his death in 2005, was also treated there on nine occasions.
A dedicated suite was established on the hospital’s top floor for papal patients. The facility reportedly includes a patient room, a medical staff meeting room, a kitchen, a bathroom, rest areas and a small chapel.
The suite is accessed through a long corridor guarded by Italian and Vatican police.
Pope Leo XIV’s Latin America Trip
Born in Chicago, Pope Leo XIV is the first American to lead the Catholic Church. He is generally believed to enjoy good health and has a particular interest in sports, including tennis.
The pontiff is expected to recover in time for a planned 11-day visit to Latin America from November 6 to 17.
The trip is scheduled to include Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.
Since his election, Leo, formerly known as Robert Francis Prevost, has gradually established his leadership style while addressing major global issues, including armed conflicts and the growing influence of artificial intelligence.
His upcoming surgery comes as he continues to lead the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
