Pope Leo XIV has been admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for surgery to remove a lump on his lung. The lump was detected during what the Vatican has described as “routine checks”, and the operation is due to take place on Tuesday afternoon, the Vatican said.
The 71-year-old pontiff was met at the hospital by a large crowd, some of whom had waited outside for several hours. Well-wishers cheered as he passed, and he waved and smiled back through the lowered rear window of his car. Staff greeted him on the hospital steps, where one of them said “I’m sorry” and the Pope responded with a smile and a shrug.
Pope Leo announced his lung nodule diagnosis
Leo XIV himself announced the news on Sunday from the balcony of St Peter’s Square, after delivering the traditional Angelus blessing. He said the nodule, or growth, on his lung was “contained” and had been found “at a very early stage”, but that doctors had advised him to have it removed.
His schedule has already been cleared until 20 October to give him time to recover. Doctors say nodules are quite common and not necessarily cancerous, but a removed lump will usually be tested for any sign of the disease. The Vatican has stressed that the pontiff, who is generally considered fit, had no symptoms of infection or illness.
Surgery timing linked to planned Latin America trip
The Vatican said the Pope would be operated on by the Gemelli’s thoracic surgery team and promised an update on his condition on Tuesday evening. Cardinal Kikuchi Tarcisio Isao of Tokyo wrote on social media that he had met Pope Leo on Monday and said the pontiff felt “nothing wrong” physically.
Kikuchi said the Pope chose to check in for surgery as soon as possible because he was due to travel to Latin America in early November and wanted to keep to that plan. The trip is particularly significant because it includes a visit to Peru, where the pontiff served as a missionary and later as a bishop for many years.
Catholics shaken as hospital crowds gather
Despite the reassurances, the news has shaken Catholics around the world. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin told journalists on Tuesday that he had not expected anything like this, and he described the news as a “bolt from the blue”. He said cardinals had been struck by the Pope’s “serenity” and were confident in his recovery.
Outside the hospital, which has treated several popes and houses a large statue of John Paul II, a few Catholics stayed on after the pontiff was admitted. Carla had come specially to be close. “He seems calm, so we are calm too – even though illness is always unpleasant,” she said. “We will wait here and pray.”
Elsa, who was also present, said she had been in St Peter’s Square when the announcement was made and felt “really awful”. She said she had been taken aback, having believed when Pope Leo was elected that he was a younger, healthier pontiff. “It turns out he’s vulnerable too,” she said, adding that she hoped it was something superficial that could be contained.
