Pope Leo admitted to hospital for lung nodule surgery

Pope Leo XIV has been admitted to hospital for surgery to remove a small growth on his lung, the first time he has been hospitalized since becoming pope.

The 71-year-old pontiff told a crowd in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday that doctors had found a lung nodule and recommended its removal. He said it had been detected “at a very early stage” and was “well-contained.”

The operation is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon at Agostino Gemelli University Policlinic in northwest Rome, a private hospital with longstanding ties to the Vatican. The Vatican press office said the growth was found during “routine tests.”

The hospital has a suite for the pope on its 10th floor. Pope John Paul II called it “Vatican three” during his frequent stays there, referring to St. Peter’s as Vatican One and the papal residence at Castel Gandolfo as Vatican Two. Pope Francis was also treated at the hospital for pneumonia early last year.

Leo has cancelled all public events until October 20. A Vatican spokesman said Sunday that he would need about a week to recover after the operation.

Dr. Matthew Triplette, a pulmonary and critical care specialist and medical director of a lung cancer screening programme, said procedures to remove a nodule are usually minimally invasive and have a low complication rate. Patients typically spend a few days in hospital before continuing their recovery at home, he said.

The Vatican will continue operating while the pope is in hospital, although matters requiring his signature will have to wait. The Catholic Church has no specific rules for transferring leadership if a pope is incapacitated; even if he is unconscious and undergoing surgery, he retains full papal authority.

Both Pope Francis and Pope John Paul II issued laws and statements while hospitalized. Day-to-day Vatican operations are handled by a separate team.

Leo followed his usual busy schedule on Monday, holding a series of morning meetings before taking part in a gathering of bishops and church leaders at the Vatican.

The announcement prompted messages of support from people around the world, including visitors in Rome. Paul Kavulich, who was visiting the city on a pilgrimage with his daughter and is from the pope’s hometown of Chicago, said they hoped the procedure would go well and that “he’s got God with him.”

Leo is not known to have underlying health problems. He keeps active by playing tennis and swimming.