Pope Leo XIV admitted to hospital for lung surgery

ROME – Pope Leo XIV has been admitted to Gemelli Hospital in Rome for surgery on Tuesday to remove a small growth on his lung, CNN reports. It is the 71-year-old pontiff’s first hospital stay since his pontificate began.

He told crowds in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday that doctors had found a “nodule,” detected “at a very early stage” and “well-contained.” The Vatican said it was discovered during “routine tests.”

He has cancelled all public events until October 20, and a spokesman said he will need about a week to recover.

“Surgeries to remove a nodule are usually minimally invasive with a low rate of complications,” said Dr. Matthew Triplette, a pulmonary and critical care specialist.

The Vatican will continue to function, though anything needing the pope’s signature will be postponed.