Pope Leo XIV to enter hospital Tuesday for surgery to remove lung nodule
In short
Pope Leo XIV will be admitted to hospital Tuesday for surgery to remove a lung nodule discovered during recent medical checks, the Vatican said. The 71-year-old pope said the nodule was detected at a very early stage and was well localized; the Vatican expects recovery to take about a week.
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Pope Leo XIV will be admitted to hospital Tuesday for surgery to remove a lung nodule found during recent medical tests, the Vatican said Monday, according to NBC News. CNN reported that he would enter Rome's Gemelli hospital in the late morning ahead of the procedure. The Vatican estimated that recovery following surgery would take about one week. [ 3 , 6 , 26 ]
The 71-year-old pope announced the planned operation during his Sunday noon prayer in St. Peter's Square. He said doctors had discovered a localized nodule during medical checks and that it had been detected at a very early stage. He said he had decided to have it removed on their advice, thanked those gathered for their support and asked for their prayers. [ 3 , 6 ]
CNN reported that all of the pope's audiences had been canceled until Tuesday, October 20. The Vatican would continue to function normally while he was in hospital, but decisions requiring his signature would be placed on hold, the broadcaster said. Leo maintained his usual schedule Monday, holding morning meetings before joining a gathering of bishops and church leaders at the Vatican. [ 6 ]
The Vatican has not disclosed whether the nodule is cancerous, Fox News reported. Dr. Stephen Liu, a lung cancer expert at Georgetown's Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, told CBS News that lung nodules are fairly common and often benign, but benign and cancerous nodules can look similar on imaging. He said surgical removal can provide a definitive diagnosis when there is sufficient concern and the procedure can be performed safely. [ 7 , 9 ]
Leo has a trip scheduled to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6-17. CBS News reported that it was unclear whether surgery and recovery would affect the itinerary, although he said Sunday that he planned to go. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her personal support and that of the Italian government as he prepared for the operation. [ 3 , 9 , 10 ]
Why it matters
CNN reported that the pope's audiences have been canceled until Tuesday, October 20, and decisions requiring his signature will be put on hold while he is hospitalized. It remains unclear whether the surgery and recovery will affect his planned November 6-17 visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.
Key facts
- The Vatican said Leo would be admitted to hospital Tuesday for lung nodule surgery. [ 26 , 30 , 32 , 33 ]
- Leo said doctors discovered the nodule during recent medical checks and recommended removing it. [ 1 , 3 , 6 , 9 , 10 ]
- The pope described the nodule as detected at a very early stage and well localized. [ 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 10 ]
- The Vatican estimated postoperative recovery at about one week. [ 1 , 3 , 6 , 9 , 10 ]
- CNN reported that audiences were canceled until Tuesday, October 20. [ 6 ]
- The Vatican has not disclosed whether the nodule is cancerous, Fox News reported. [ 7 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Leo plans surgery to remove a lung nodule discovered during medical checks. [ 1 , 3 , 6 , 9 , 10 ]
- The Vatican said the pope would be admitted to hospital Tuesday. [ 26 , 30 , 32 , 33 ]
- Leo said the nodule was detected early and was well localized. [ 1 , 3 , 5 , 6 , 10 ]
- The Vatican expects recovery following the operation to take about one week. [ 1 , 3 , 6 , 9 , 10 ]
- Leo has a visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru scheduled for November 6-17. [ 6 , 7 , 9 , 10 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the nodule is cancerous. Fox News reports that the Vatican has not disclosed this, while Axios notes that the pope did not explicitly say it was malignant.
- Whether surgery and recovery will change the November travel itinerary. NBC News, Fox News and CBS News explicitly describe the effect on the trip as unclear.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- The Associated Press reported Leo's announcement that he would have surgery to remove a lung nodule. [ 1 ]
- Reuters reported that Leo was keeping his normal schedule ahead of surgery. [ 24 ]
- NBC News reported the Vatican's statement that Leo would be admitted to hospital Tuesday morning for surgery. [ 26 ]
- The Seattle Times reported the Vatican's announcement of a Tuesday late-morning hospital admission. [ 30 ]