Pope Leo admitted to hospital for lung surgery

Pope Leo XIV has been admitted to hospital in Rome, Italy, for surgery to remove a nodule on his lung.

The Vatican confirmed the development, saying the surgery will take place on Tuesday afternoon.

The surgery to remove a pulmonary nodule, or small growth of tissue in the lung, marks the 71-year-old’s first hospitalisation since he became head of the Catholic Church on May 8, 2025.

On Sunday, in a surprise announcement following Angelus prayers, Leo told the faithful in St Peter’s Square that doctors had discovered the nodule “at a very early stage” during recent medical checks.

“The doctors believe it would be right to intervene,” he said.

The Vatican has historically been very secretive about papal health, but began to be more transparent during the illness of Leo’s predecessor Francis, an Argentine who freely discussed his ailments.

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Pope Leo waved to well-wishers as he left the Vatican by car and smiled and waved to crowds waiting for him at the Gemelli, before walking into the hospital.

The Vatican said the operation will be performed by the Gemelli’s thoracic surgery team, led by Stefano Margaritora.

The pope’s recovery time is expected to be about a week. His audiences have been cancelled until October 20.

The Vatican’s secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, told ANSA news agency that Leo had been “very calm” about the nodule when they met on Monday.

Japanese Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, who also saw the pope on Monday, said Leo was “very relaxed, as he always is, and jokey, as usual”.