Pope Leo XIV enters Rome's Gemelli hospital for surgery to remove lung nodule
The nodule was found at a very early stage during a routine checkup at Rome's Gemelli hospital, and the surgery will be minimally invasive. The Vatican has suspended papal audiences at least until October 20
Pope Leo XIV is to be admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital at midday on Tuesday, October 13, for surgery to remove a lung nodule detected at a very early stage during a routine checkup. The Vatican has confirmed that all papal audiences are suspended at least until October 20. Holy See sources said recovery after the operation is expected to take about seven days.
The pope, 71, who holds both US and Peruvian citizenship, announced the news on Sunday, October 11, after praying the Angelus. "Recently, during a checkup, doctors detected a nodule located in my lung. It was found at a very early stage and is well localized. The doctors consider it appropriate to operate," he wrote in a message posted on his social media accounts.
What is a lung nodule?
A lung nodule is a small spot or mass of tissue in the lung, usually round or oval and less than 3 centimeters (1.2 inches) across. It is normally found on a CT scan of the chest. Most are not malignant and usually result from earlier infections, scar tissue or other benign causes. In the pope's case the nodule was found at a very early stage and is well localized, which makes it easier to remove.
The surgery will be minimally invasive, using robotic techniques that allow small incisions. The Vatican has not given an exact date but confirmed the operation will take place this week.
The pope kept his schedule until admission
Leo XIV kept his full official schedule on Monday, October 12. He received seven delegations in audience: the president of the Nicaraguan Bishops' Conference, Carlos Enrique Herrera Gutiérrez; Argentine Archbishop Jorge Eduardo Lozano; the apostolic nuncio to Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Monaco, Martin Krebs; the president of Caritas Internationalis, Japanese Archbishop Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi; US Archbishop Timothy Broglio; and other church officials.
Prayers from Chiclayo and around the world
The Diocese of Chiclayo in northern Peru, where the pope served as bishop from 2015 to 2023, held a special Mass on Monday at the Cathedral of Santa María to pray for his health. Bishop Edinson Farfán of Chiclayo presided at the Mass in a church filled with the faithful.
In Spain, Archbishop Mario Iceta of Burgos asked that a special intention for the pope's health be included at every Mass, in the Liturgy of the Hours and in the rosary. The president of the Spanish Bishops' Conference, Archbishop Luis Argüello, called on the whole Church in Spain to join in prayer.
In the United States, Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City said the country's bishops would join the faithful in prayer, asking that "the hand of the surgeons be guided by the divine physician, Jesus Christ." In Latin America, Cardinal Daniel Sturla of Montevideo and the Argentine Bishops' Conference each issued calls to prayer for the pope. In Peru, the Archdiocese of Lima entrusted the pope's health to the Lord of Miracles, an image of Christ venerated in Lima.
The pope's message to the faithful
The president of the Peruvian Bishops' Conference, Archbishop Carlos García Camader, said the pope had described his medical situation with "profound serenity," which he said reflected the faith with which he is facing the operation.
The Italian Christian Workers Associations (ACLI) also expressed their closeness and their prayers for the pope on social media.
