In brief
Pope Leo XIV stepped into Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Monday for a planned surgery to remove a lung lump discovered during routine checks. The operation, slated for Tuesday afternoon, drew a large crowd of supporters waving and cheering from outside the gates. Declaring the nodule was ‘contained’ and clotted early, the Pope announced the procedure during a Sunday prayer session, promising a prompt review of his health on the evening of the operation. Vatican officials have cleared his calendar through 20 October, giving the pontiff time to heal ahead of a scheduled Latin‑America tour. While most experts say the nodule could be benign, it will be tested for cancer to ensure complete safety.
The 71‑year‑old pontiff was welcomed at Rome’s famed Gemelli Hospital with a crowd of cheering supporters after the Vatican announced that a routine scan had revealed a small lump in his lung.
A scheduled operation on Tuesday afternoon is expected to remove the nodule, a small growth that doctors say was "contained" and seen at an early stage. The crossing of the hospital steps was marked by a calm Pope, who smiled and offered a reassuring shrug when greeted by the medical staff.
Pope Leo XIV notified the world of the upcoming surgery from St. Peter’s Square’s balcony during the traditional Angelus blessing, stressing that he felt "nothing wrong" physically and that the removal is a precautionary measure before a planned trip to Latin America in early November.
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin said the announcement felt like a "bolt from the blue", yet cardinals praised the pope’s calmness and remain confident of his recovery. The hospital will test the tissue for any signs of cancer, though experts note that most nodules are not malignant.
Pope Leo’s schedule has been cleared until 20 October to allow time for rest and recovery. Fans and clergy alike have taken to the hospital’s gates to pray for his health, with some describing the moment as a mix of awe and concern.
