Pope Leo XIV, aged 71, was admitted to Gemelli Hospital in Rome after doctors identified a lung nodule during routine medical checkups. The pontiff later announced that the growth had been discovered at a “very early and well-localized” stage, and the procedure was considered appropriate for removing the lesion.
The operation took place on Tuesday evening and proceeded without complications, with the lower lobe of the right lung being removed. The Vatican stated that further information about his health would be provided, while public audiences were suspended until October 20, as his recovery was estimated to take approximately one week.
Before the subsequently announced discharge, the Pope sent a message thanking the faithful for their prayers following surgery for lung cancer. At the same time, the Vatican indicated that the pope had had a good night in hospital and eaten breakfast, while the pontiff was unable to attend an event dedicated to the anniversary of a papal document.
