Pope Leo XIV was admitted to Rome’s Agostino Gemelli University Hospital on Tuesday ahead of surgery to remove a lung nodule. The procedure, led by thoracic surgeon Dr. Stefano Margaritora, is scheduled for the afternoon and follows the pontiff’s announcement on Sunday that he would undergo the operation.
The Vatican confirmed the admission in a statement, noting that the surgery aims to remove a well-localized lung nodule discovered in an early phase. The pontiff, who arrived by vehicle from the Vatican, was greeted by hospital staff and well-wishers before entering the facility. The Vatican has canceled all of Leo’s public audiences through October 20 to allow for recovery, with a hospital stay of approximately one week expected.
Medical Context and Prognosis
Lung nodules, also known as pulmonary nodules, are small masses of dense tissue on the lung. According to the American Lung Association, such nodules are often detected incidentally during imaging and may require further evaluation or removal depending on size, location, and characteristics. Oncologists consulted by media outlets described the nodule as being in an early stage, with a favorable prognosis if malignant, as it would be removed promptly.
Dr. Lorenzo Spaggiari, director of thoracic surgery at the European Institute of Oncology in Milan, stated that the clinical situation appears treatable, though he is not involved in the pope’s care. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, described the pope as serene during the announcement, adding that the Holy See remains confident in the outcome.
Pope’s Health and Travel Plans
Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff and a Chicago native, revealed the nodule during his Sunday noon prayer, stating that doctors deemed intervention necessary. He informed Tokyo Cardinal Kikuchi Tsutomu that he felt well and chose to proceed with surgery to avoid disrupting upcoming travel plans to Latin America. The Vatican has not disclosed further details about the nodule’s characteristics or the surgical approach, though standard procedures for such cases typically involve general anesthesia and minimally invasive techniques where feasible.
Gemelli Hospital, the largest medical facility in Rome, serves as the primary healthcare provider for the papacy and has been used by previous popes, including Pope Francis, who died in 2025 at the age of 88. The hospital’s thoracic surgery team is overseeing the procedure, with updates expected from the Vatican following the operation.