Pope Leo XIV has been admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital for surgery to remove a small nodule discovered on his left lung during routine medical checks. The Vatican announced the procedure would take place on Tuesday afternoon.
The 71-year-old pontiff himself broke the news on Sunday, speaking from the balcony in St Peter's Square after delivering the traditional Angelus blessing. He told the gathered crowd that the growth had been found at "a very early stage" and was "well-contained."
"The doctors believe it would be right to intervene and so, following their advice, I have decided to have the operation to remove it," he said.
The Vatican said the surgery would be carried out by the Gemelli's thoracic surgery team and that an update on his condition would be provided on Tuesday evening. A recovery period of approximately one week is expected, and all papal audiences have been cancelled until 20 October.
Leo was greeted by a large crowd as he arrived at the hospital, with some supporters having waited outside for several hours. He waved and smiled through the lowered rear window of his car as well-wishers cheered. On the hospital steps, a staff member commiserated: "I'm sorry." The Pope responded with a smile and a shrug. "We're here for you," he was assured.
The operation is considered low risk and will determine whether the nodule is malignant. Vatican spokespeople did not clarify in advance whether it is believed to be cancerous. Nodules are common and not necessarily a sign of cancer, though removed tissue is typically tested for the disease.
The Vatican stressed that the pontiff had no symptoms of infection or illness and is generally considered to be in good health. He is known to be physically active, regularly playing tennis and swimming. Cardinal Kikuchi Tarcisio Isao of Tokyo, who had an audience with the Pope on Monday, wrote on social media that Leo felt "nothing wrong" physically.
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said he had spoken with the Pope on Monday evening. "We spoke with great serenity," Parolin told reporters. "He is truly a great example. The announcement came like a bolt out of the blue, nobody expected it. Thank God it was detected immediately, so the operation could take place immediately. Normally, when these things are caught in time, they can be resolved."
Parolin acknowledged that the news had come as a shock but said the cardinals had been struck by the Pope's "serenity" and were confident in his recovery.
Leo, who was born in Chicago and became the first US-born leader of the Roman Catholic Church when he was elected in May 2025, had reportedly decided to proceed with surgery as soon as possible in order to keep to his planned schedule. He is due to travel to Latin America from 6 to 17 November, with stops planned in Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru. The trip holds particular significance as it includes a visit to Peru, where Leo served as a missionary and later as a bishop for many years. He told reporters on Sunday that he intends to make the journey.
Wednesday's weekly papal audience will be led by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, who was recently elected dean of the College of Cardinals.
The Gemelli Hospital, located in the north-west of Rome, is renowned for treating reigning popes. Pope John Paul II was treated there on multiple occasions, and the Vatican worked with the hospital to establish a high-security papal suite. That suite is currently undergoing renovation, and Leo will instead stay in the hospital's private-patient wing.
Leo's predecessor, Pope Francis, spent more than five weeks at the Gemelli being treated for bronchitis that developed into bilateral pneumonia. Francis died at his residence in Vatican City on 21 April 2025, just under a month after being discharged.
Outside the hospital, Catholics gathered to show their support. "He seems calm, so we are calm too — even though illness is always unpleasant," said one woman who had come specially to be close. "We will wait here and pray."
Another woman, who had been present in St Peter's Square when the Pope made his announcement on Sunday, said the news had shaken her. "I was really taken aback," she said. "It turns out he's vulnerable too. I really hope it's something superficial, that can be contained, like he told us."
