Pope Leo XIV to enter Gemelli hospital; lung nodule surgery could take place today

Leo XIV is due to enter Rome's Gemelli hospital late on Tuesday morning. According to unofficial Vatican sources, the operation to remove a nodule from his lung could take place the same day. The Vatican has not, however, given a time for the procedure, and at the time of writing it had not said whether it had taken place. According to the Vatican spokesman, the pope is expected to spend about a week in hospital.

News from the pope himself

Leo XIV announced the planned operation himself on Sunday during the Angelus, the prayer popes traditionally lead with the faithful gathered in St Peter's Square. The nodule, he said, was "detected at a very early stage and is well-localized". Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni explained that it "was discovered in routine tests". Commentators note that by announcing the news personally, the pope wanted to put an end to speculation about his health.

What a lung nodule is

A lung nodule is a small, usually round spot in the lung tissue that shows up on imaging scans. It is often found by chance during other tests, and its presence alone does not amount to a diagnosis. Early detection and a well-defined location usually make surgical removal easier. Such nodules are now often removed with minimally invasive techniques, and the tissue is usually examined under a microscope afterwards, which makes it possible to establish its nature. The Vatican has not spoken of cancer, and there is no such diagnosis so far. The pope is 71.

A suite on the 10th floor

Gemelli is a large university hospital in Rome where popes have long been treated. John Paul II stayed there many times, and in recent years Francis was treated there too. Leo XIV is to stay in the papal suite on the hospital's 10th floor. All audiences have been cancelled until 20 October, so for the coming week the faithful will not see the pope at meetings in the Vatican. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, a Filipino prelate who works in the Roman Curia, will celebrate Wednesday's Mass in his place.

Trip unchanged for now

The trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru planned for 6–17 November has not been cancelled. It covers twelve days and three South American countries, and it is just over three weeks away. The Vatican has so far announced no changes to the programme.

What is still unknown

The Vatican has not given the time of the operation or said which technique will be used. Nor is it known how long his recovery will take after he leaves hospital. For now, the only official information is what the pope and his spokesman have said: the nodule was found early in routine tests, it is well-localized, and the hospital stay is expected to last about a week. Official information on his treatment comes from the Holy See Press Office, headed by Bruni. Until it issues a statement, unofficial reports about the operation itself should be treated with caution.