Pope Leo XIV undergoes surgery to remove lung nodule
Pope Leo XIV left the Vatican on Tuesday and arrived at a Rome hospital to have a lung nodule removed, an operation that experts say will determine whether the lesion is malignant and if other treatment is needed, reports BritPanorama.
Upon arrival at Gemelli hospital, Leo waved to dozens of well-wishers gathered at the entrance. The Vatican announced that he was scheduled to undergo surgery later that day.
The 71-year-old American pontiff has maintained a rare level of transparency regarding this, his first publicly disclosed major health issue during his 17-month papacy. He revealed the nodule’s discovery during his Sunday noon prayer and immediately decided to have it removed.
The surgery, typically performed under general anesthesia, will necessitate a week-long hospital stay, leading the Vatican to cancel all of Leo’s audiences through October 20.
A churchman who met with the pope on Monday, Tokyo Cardinal Kikuchi Tsutomu, stated that Leo felt fine and opted for the surgery promptly to avoid altering his upcoming travel plans to Latin America.
The decision surprised some, as the Gemelli has a designated papal apartment featuring a private chapel on the 10th floor. However, due to ongoing renovations, Leo will stay in a nearby room during his recovery, according to the Vatican press office.
The nodule was identified during routine checks, the Vatican confirmed. Kikuchi emphasized that Leo felt no different than usual and was focused on the upcoming trip, stating, “He has decided to undergo surgery soon in order to not change his plans for future overseas trips, so there is no need to worry, as it is not an emergency,” in a Facebook post from the Tokyo archdiocese.
The anticipated recovery period may align well with his planned November 6-17 visit to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, which is set to be the longest trip of his papacy, involving over 19,000 miles across a dozen flights and two helicopter rides.
As Leo prepares for surgery, the implications of his health on future engagements remain a crucial consideration for the Vatican and the global Catholic community.
