Pope Leo XIV arrives at Gemelli hospital ahead of surgery

Pope Leo XIV was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Tuesday ahead of surgery later in the day to remove a lung nodule, an operation that experts say will determine whether the lesion is malignant and if other treatment is needed.

After the quick drive from the Vatican, Leo walked into the hospital through the main entrance and waved to dozens of well-wishers who had gathered to greet him. The Vatican said the surgery would be performed later in the afternoon by a team led by Gemelli’s chief thoracic surgeon, Dr Stefano Margaritora. The 71-year-old American pontiff has offered a rare level of transparency about the first publicly disclosed major health problem of his 17-month papacy. He revealed the discovery of the small, localised nodule during his Sunday noon prayer and announced that he would have it removed.

Oncologists say even if the nodule turns out to be cancerous, Leo’s prognosis is “excellent” since it will have been removed at an early stage. The surgery, which is usually performed under general anesthesia, will require a weeklong hospital stay and the Vatican on Monday cancelled all Leo’s audiences through October 20.