Pope Leo XIV entered a Rome hospital Tuesday to undergo surgery for a recently discovered lung nodule, with specialists expressing optimism about his recovery while awaiting tests to determine whether the growth is cancerous.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Pope Leo XIV was admitted to Rome’s Agostino Gemelli University Hospital on Tuesday, October 13, for surgery to remove a small growth from his lung, marking the first publicly disclosed major health concern of his papacy. The 71-year-old American pontiff is expected to remain hospitalized for approximately one week as doctors evaluate the nodule and determine whether additional treatment will be necessary.
The Vatican confirmed Leo’s hospitalization Tuesday, announcing that a team of thoracic surgeons led by Professor Stefano Margaritora, Gemelli’s chief thoracic surgeon, would perform the operation later that afternoon. The Holy See said further information about the procedure and the pope’s condition would be released in the evening.
Leo arrived at the hospital by car from Vatican City at approximately 1 p.m. local time. He entered through the main entrance, walking independently and waving to journalists, hospital personnel and well-wishers who had gathered outside to greet him.
His public appearance offered a reassuring indication of his condition before surgery, although the Vatican has not disclosed the nodule’s precise dimensions, location within the lung or whether preliminary testing has identified signs of malignancy.
The pope first disclosed the medical finding during his Sunday Angelus address on October 11, telling worshippers gathered in St. Peter’s Square that a recent examination had revealed an abnormality requiring surgical intervention.
“Dear friends, during some recent medical examinations, doctors found a localized nodule in my lung. It was detected at a very early stage and is well localized. The doctors believe surgery is appropriate. Following their advice, I have therefore decided to undergo an operation to remove it. The operation is already scheduled for the coming days. I thank you for your spiritual closeness and entrust myself to your prayers.”
The unusually direct announcement, published by Vatican News, provided an early public explanation of the medical issue and the reasoning behind the decision to proceed with surgery.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni subsequently clarified that the abnormality had been detected during routine medical examinations rather than an evaluation prompted by a specific illness. The Holy See described the growth as small and localized, suggesting that physicians identified it before it caused significant symptoms.
The disclosure has drawn international attention because Leo, elected pope in May 2025, has generally been regarded as healthy and physically active. His hospitalization comes approximately 17 months into his pontificate and follows a period of regular public appearances, meetings and international travel.
Medical experts not involved in his treatment have emphasized that the discovery of a lung nodule does not automatically indicate cancer. Such abnormalities can result from a variety of conditions, including infections, inflammation, scar tissue and benign growths.
However, some lung nodules are malignant, making further evaluation necessary when their appearance, size or other characteristics raise concerns.
Dr. Lorenzo Spaggiari, director of thoracic surgery at the European Institute of Oncology in Milan, said the circumstances described by the Vatican suggest that doctors may have identified the lesion at a favorable stage for treatment.
“These are things that can be treated very well, if the words he used reflect the clinical situation,” Spaggiari said.
Spaggiari is not involved in Leo’s medical care but is familiar with the surgical team at Gemelli. He said the pope’s doctors may perform a biopsy to determine the nature of the nodule before removing the affected portion of the lung.
Depending on the findings, surgeons could remove a small segment of lung tissue or an entire lobe. The extent of the operation would depend on the lesion’s characteristics, its location and the medical team’s assessment.
The procedure will likely be performed under general anesthesia, which allows surgeons to operate while the patient remains unconscious and free from pain.
Modern thoracic surgery offers several minimally invasive techniques that can reduce the trauma associated with traditional open-chest operations. Spaggiari said Gemelli has access to advanced robotic systems capable of assisting with both diagnosis and surgical treatment.
One such technology is the ION robotic bronchoscopy platform, which allows physicians to navigate small airways and obtain tissue samples from nodules that may be difficult to reach using conventional instruments.
According to Spaggiari, the system can assist in biopsying lesions measuring as little as one-tenth of an inch. Both Gemelli and the European Institute of Oncology possess the technology, which has been available in Italy for approximately two years.
Robotic bronchoscopy allows physicians to guide specialized instruments through the respiratory tract toward the area requiring examination. Tissue samples can then be evaluated to determine whether abnormal cells are present.
If removal is warranted, surgeons may use a separate robotic surgical system known as da Vinci to perform a minimally invasive lung resection.
Spaggiari explained that the technique generally involves several small incisions in the chest rather than the larger opening associated with traditional surgery. Specialized instruments are inserted through the incisions and controlled by a surgeon using a console equipped with high-definition, three-dimensional imaging.
The robotic system does not operate independently. Instead, it translates the surgeon’s movements into precise actions within the patient’s chest.
“It’s a very well-established technology. This is something we have been doing for 20 years,” Spaggiari said.
Gemelli has experience performing robotic diagnostic and surgical procedures during the same operation. The hospital has documented cases in which both stages were completed within four hours.
The Vatican has not confirmed whether Leo will undergo robotic bronchoscopy, robotic-assisted surgery or another approach. The selection of a surgical technique remains a decision for the physicians responsible for his treatment.
The primary objective is to remove the suspicious growth while preserving as much healthy lung tissue as possible.
Physicians may also examine nearby lymph nodes because their condition can help determine whether a malignant tumor has spread beyond its original location.
If pathology results confirm an early-stage cancer confined to the lung, with no evidence of lymph node involvement, surgery alone may be sufficient in some cases.
“If all those lymph nodes turn out to be negative, so stage one, then the outlook is very good,” Spaggiari said.
He emphasized that an early diagnosis can substantially improve treatment options and outcomes. However, a definitive prognosis for Leo cannot be established until the medical team completes the operation and evaluates the relevant tissue.
Spaggiari estimated that surgical mortality for otherwise healthy patients with good cardiovascular and lung function can be approximately 0.6% to 0.8%, although individual risks depend on the procedure and the patient’s medical condition.
The risk of serious complications can also vary with age, existing illnesses, the amount of lung tissue removed and other clinical factors. Published averages therefore cannot determine the pope’s personal surgical risk.
The specialist said the circumstances of Leo’s diagnosis appear encouraging because the growth was discovered before producing noticeable symptoms.
“I think he has had a bit of luck. They found something that was asymptomatic — a lung nodule, possibly a tumor. He might call it something else; we call it luck,” Spaggiari said.
The Vatican has not announced a cancer diagnosis, and the possibility of malignancy remains unresolved.
Lung nodules are generally defined as small, rounded or irregular abnormalities measuring less than three centimeters, approximately 1.2 inches, within lung tissue. They are frequently detected during CT scans performed for unrelated medical reasons.
Many are noncancerous, particularly when associated with past infections or inflammatory conditions. However, doctors evaluate characteristics such as growth over time, size, shape, density and the patient’s medical history when deciding whether continued monitoring, biopsy or surgery is appropriate.
A localized nodule that can be removed surgically may offer favorable treatment prospects even when malignant, although the prognosis depends on the specific cancer type and findings from pathological examination.
Leo’s decision to undergo surgery promptly also appears connected to his approaching international travel schedule.
Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, the archbishop of Tokyo and president of Caritas Internationalis, said the pope told him during a Monday meeting that he felt well and wanted to complete the procedure without unnecessarily disrupting upcoming commitments.
“He has decided to undergo surgery soon in order to not change his plans for future overseas trips, so there is no need to worry, as it is not an emergency,” Kikuchi wrote on the Facebook page of the Tokyo archdiocese.
The cardinal said Leo reported no unusual symptoms and continued discussing future travel with optimism.
His remarks indicate that the pope viewed the operation as a planned medical intervention rather than a response to an immediate health emergency.
Leo is scheduled to travel to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 through November 17, undertaking what would be the longest international journey of his papacy so far.
The itinerary includes approximately 19,000 miles of travel, a dozen flights and two helicopter journeys. It also involves multiple public appearances and significant changes in altitude, particularly during the visit to Peru.
The demanding schedule has raised questions about whether the pope will recover sufficiently to complete the trip.
Medical specialists generally advise patients to avoid air travel for a period following lung surgery because changes in cabin pressure and possible postoperative complications require careful consideration.
Spaggiari said the European Institute of Oncology typically recommends waiting three weeks before flying after such an operation.
If Leo’s recovery proceeds without complications, the interval between his scheduled surgery and November departure could meet that general recommendation. However, clearance for long-distance travel will depend on his doctors’ assessment of his recovery.
The Vatican has not announced any changes to the Latin American itinerary.
In the meantime, Leo’s public schedule has been substantially reduced.
The Holy See announced changes to papal engagements, with audiences canceled through October 20 as the pontiff undergoes treatment and recovers.
The pope had continued holding scheduled meetings Monday morning, including engagements involving members of the Church, before preparations for his hospitalization.
His absence has also affected Vatican events marking the 10th anniversary of Amoris Laetitia, the apostolic exhortation issued by Pope Francis addressing family life, marriage and pastoral care.
Leo was originally scheduled to participate in portions of the gathering and preside over a Mass in St. Peter’s Square on October 14.
Those responsibilities have been reassigned, with Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, designated to lead the celebration.
Jesuit Father Giacomo Costa, who has been involved in coordinating the gathering, said participants would pray for the pope’s health during the Mass.
“During the Mass, we will pray especially for the Holy Father’s health, as well as for families,” Costa said.
The pope also asked organizers to delay publication of the meeting’s final report until he can review its conclusions and offer his own reflections following hospitalization.
His instructions indicate that he intends to resume participation in the Church’s ongoing work after recovering.
The temporary cancellation of engagements comes as the Vatican prepares for the practical requirements of his hospital stay.
Gemelli Hospital, one of Rome’s leading medical institutions, has extensive experience treating pontiffs and maintaining the security and privacy required for papal medical care.
Its 10th-floor papal apartment has been used by previous popes, including John Paul II and Francis. However, the traditional suite is undergoing renovations, requiring Leo to stay in an adjacent accommodation during his recovery.
The arrangement came amid the relatively short interval between the diagnosis becoming public and the scheduled operation.
Gemelli’s medical team will oversee his postoperative care, with Vatican medical personnel also involved in monitoring his condition.
The pope’s personal physician, Luigi Carbone, is expected to participate in coordinating his treatment. Carbone previously served in the medical team caring for Pope Francis and oversees health services within Vatican City State.
The Vatican has also arranged for nursing support throughout Leo’s hospitalization.
The admission represents an important moment in a pontificate that has otherwise been characterized by few publicly disclosed medical concerns.
Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, Leo became the first American pope when he was elected on May 8, 2025, following the death of Pope Francis.
Before becoming pontiff, he spent significant portions of his career as a missionary and bishop in Peru, developing longstanding connections to Latin America that remain central to his upcoming pastoral travel.
His medical history has not attracted the same level of public attention as the numerous health challenges experienced by his predecessor.
Francis underwent multiple hospitalizations during his papacy, including treatment for respiratory problems and abdominal surgery. His final months included a prolonged hospitalization for a severe respiratory illness.
Gemelli has therefore played a prominent role in recent Vatican medical history, and its physicians are experienced in coordinating specialized treatment for senior Church figures.
Leo’s decision to discuss his diagnosis personally during a public prayer gathering also reflects a notable degree of openness about papal health.
Historically, the Vatican has sometimes provided limited details about the medical conditions of pontiffs, particularly when health problems could raise questions about a pope’s ability to continue his duties.
The Associated Press reported on the constitutional and canonical implications of papal incapacity, noting that Catholic Church law does not automatically transfer papal authority when a pontiff is temporarily unconscious or medically unable to govern.
The pope remains the head of the Catholic Church unless he dies or voluntarily resigns, while senior Vatican officials continue managing ordinary administrative responsibilities during periods of illness.
Leo’s operation is expected to involve only a temporary interruption of his public activities, and Vatican officials have provided no indication that the hospitalization will affect the leadership structure of the Church.
Messages of support have arrived from Catholic communities and political leaders around the world since Sunday’s announcement.
Church officials have emphasized the pope’s calm attitude toward the procedure, while physicians familiar with the hospital have expressed confidence in the surgical team’s experience and capabilities.
“I think the Holy Father is in excellent hands at Gemelli,” Spaggiari said. “They have everything needed to keep the Holy Father alive for a long time.”
The Vatican’s next medical update is expected to provide additional information about the operation and Leo’s immediate postoperative condition.
A definitive determination about whether the lung nodule is benign or malignant may require pathological examination of tissue collected during surgery. If cancer is identified, physicians will assess its characteristics and whether additional treatment is indicated.
For now, the available information indicates that the growth was discovered during routine examinations, was described as small and localized, and prompted doctors to recommend surgical removal before the pope’s upcoming international travel.
Leo’s recovery will determine when he resumes public appearances and whether his ambitious November itinerary can proceed unchanged.
The operation marks the first significant medical test of his papacy, with Vatican officials and medical specialists expressing cautious optimism while awaiting the results of Tuesday’s surgery.
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