Pope Leo XIV recovering after successful lung surgery

**VATICAN-(MaraviPost)-**Pope Leo XIV is recovering in hospital after undergoing surgery to remove a small nodule from his lung, the Vatican said Tuesday, in the first major health scare of his 17-month pontificate.

The Holy See Press Office said the operation at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli University Hospital was completed “successfully, within the expected timeframe and as planned, and the Holy Father has returned to his room.”

The 71-year-old American pontiff, the first pope from the United States, had announced the procedure himself just two days earlier, in an unusually transparent disclosure for the Vatican.

Speaking to thousands gathered for his Sunday Angelus prayer in St Peter’s Square, Leo said doctors had found the growth during routine examinations.

“Recently, during some medical examinations, doctors found a well-defined nodule in one of my lungs,” he told the faithful. “It was detected at a very early stage and is well localized.”

He said doctors advised removal and that surgery was already scheduled for the coming days. “I thank you for your spiritual closeness and entrust myself to your prayers,” he added.

The announcement surprised even senior Vatican officials. Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin told reporters on Tuesday that “no one expected” the news and admitted to being worried.

Pope Leo left the Vatican shortly before 1 p.m. Tuesday, waving from a black SUV as his convoy made the 9 km drive to Gemelli, the hospital long associated with papal care. On arrival, he walked through the main entrance, greeting dozens of well-wishers who shouted “Auguri” and waving before being admitted.

The Vatican said the team was led by Gemelli’s chief thoracic surgeon, Prof. Stefano Margaritora. As the operation began Tuesday afternoon, medical staff recited the Rosary in the hospital chapel, with Vicar of Rome Cardinal Baldassare Reina praying for “our bishop, Pope Leo.”

The procedure, typically minimally invasive and performed under general anesthesia, marks Leo’s first hospitalization since his election in May 2025. The Gemelli has a special papal suite on the 10th floor, famously dubbed “Vatican three” by John Paul II.

The Holy See has not said whether the nodule is cancerous, and oncologists note that fewer than 5% of such nodules turn out to be malignant. Doctors said even if cancerous, prognosis would be excellent given early detection. Further medical details are expected after pathology tests.

The Vatican has cancelled all public audiences and events until October 20 and said the Pope is expected to remain in hospital for about a week. It remains unclear whether his scheduled November 6-17 apostolic trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru will go ahead.

Leo, born Robert Prevost, has had no previously known health issues and is known for an active lifestyle that includes tennis and swimming at Castel Gandolfo.

Tuesday evening’s brief statement offered reassurance to 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide after a weekend of concern, with the pontiff now resting and expected to continue recovery in his hospital room.

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