Health · Healthcare & Policy · 2 hrs ago
Pope Leo XIV to undergo lung operation in Rome on Tuesday
Pope Leo XIV is due to enter Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Tuesday for an operation to remove a small growth from his lung.
Doctors found the growth, called a pulmonary nodule, during recent medical checks and said it was at an early stage.
The 71-year-old pope said he decided to have surgery on his doctors’ advice.
This will be his first hospital stay since he became head of the Catholic Church in May 2025.
The Vatican says recovery could take about a week, and his audiences have been canceled until October 20.
He is expected to recover in time for an official visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17.
Pope Leo XIV is due to be admitted to hospital in Rome on Tuesday, October 13, for an operation to remove a lung nodule.
The Vatican said the recovery could take about a week.
The pope’s audiences have been canceled until October 20.
Doctors found the nodule at an early stage during recent medical checks, Leo said.
He is expected to recover in time for a planned visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17.
- Who
- Pope Leo XIV, 71.
- What
- He is due to undergo an operation to remove a lung nodule.
- When
- Tuesday morning, October 13, 2026.
- Where
- Rome; the operation is expected to take place at Gemelli hospital.
- Why
- Doctors advised intervention after finding the nodule during recent medical checks.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Leo announced after Angelus prayers that he would undergo an operation in the coming days.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said Leo would be admitted on Tuesday, late morning.
Leo is due to be admitted to hospital for the operation.
- Age
- 71
- Hospital admission
- Tuesday, October 13, 2026
- Expected hospital
- Gemelli hospital, Rome
- Recovery estimate
- About a week
- Canceled audiences
- Until October 20
- Planned Latin America visit
- November 6–17, including Uruguay, Argentina and Peru
What people are saying
The doctors believe it would be right to intervene and so, following their advice, I have decided to have the operation to remove it
at a very early stage
Tuesday, late morning
Sources
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