Pope Leo recovering after ‘successful’ surgery to remove growth on his lung

Pope Leo XIV recuperates after lung procedure in Rome

Healfromzero.com – Pope Leo XIV is recovering in a Rome hospital after surgeons removed a small growth from his lung in an operation the Vatican described as successful. The procedure was completed Tuesday afternoon at Agostino Gemelli University Policlinic, where the 71-year-old pontiff was later returned to his room.

The operation followed the discovery of a lung nodule during routine medical tests. Speaking to people gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, Leo said doctors had advised him to have it removed. He characterized the finding as an early-stage, contained growth.

A nodule is an area of dense tissue in the lung and can often be benign. Doctors may recommend further examination or removal depending on its features and the wider clinical picture. The Vatican has not identified the nature of the growth beyond describing it as a small nodule.

First hospital admission of his pontificate

The stay at Gemelli is Leo’s first hospitalization since becoming pope. The private hospital in northwest Rome has maintained a long relationship with the Vatican and includes a dedicated papal suite on its 10th floor.

Pope John Paul II, who was treated there on several occasions, famously called the hospital “Vatican three.” In that description, St. Peter’s was “Vatican one,” while the papal residence at Castel Gandolfo was “Vatican two.” Pope Francis also spent an extended period at Gemelli early last year while receiving treatment for pneumonia.

Leo has suspended public engagements through October 20 as he recovers. A Vatican spokesman has said that roughly a week of recuperation is expected after the surgery.

Before entering hospital, the pope continued a full schedule on Monday. He held consecutive morning meetings and later attended a gathering of bishops and church leaders at the Vatican.

Recovery expectations

Dr. Matthew Triplette, medical director of the Lung Cancer Screening Program and a specialist in pulmonary and critical care medicine, said procedures to remove nodules are commonly minimally invasive and tend to have relatively low complication rates. Patients generally remain in hospital for several days before continuing recovery at home.

The Vatican said the surgery proceeded as planned. Its announcement Tuesday evening also confirmed that Leo had returned to his hospital room.

Leo is not known to have underlying health conditions. He has remained physically active, with tennis and swimming among his preferred activities.

Vatican work continues during hospitalization

Routine Vatican administration will continue while the pope is hospitalized. Matters that require Leo’s personal signature, however, will have to wait until he is able to address them.

There are no detailed Vatican rules setting out a transfer of leadership in the event that a pope becomes incapacitated. Papal authority remains with the pontiff even during surgery or unconsciousness. Previous popes, including Francis and John Paul II, issued laws and statements while receiving hospital treatment, while daily Vatican operations were handled by established officials and departments.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, said Catholic clergy were praying for Leo’s recovery. Parolin said the pope’s calm manner when announcing the operation had made a strong impression.

“We were all struck by the serenity with which the Pope announced this procedure,” Parolin said. “We hope he can resolve this issue as soon as possible. We are confident, but naturally, we are supporting him with our prayers.”

Parolin said he had met with Leo on Monday evening and that the need for surgery had come unexpectedly.

“We spoke very calmly,” he said. “Am I worried? Yes, because I certainly didn’t expect something like this.”

He emphasized that the nodule had been found quickly, an important part of the medical outlook described by the Vatican.

“It is something that, thank God, was detected immediately,” Parolin continued. “And normally, when these things are caught in time, they can be resolved.”

Messages of support from around the world

News of the surgery prompted messages of concern and encouragement from Catholics and visitors in Rome. Leo, the first American pope, has particular ties to Chicago, his hometown.

Paul Kavulich, visiting Rome on a pilgrimage with his daughter, voiced hopes for the pontiff’s recovery while reflecting the concern felt by many pilgrims.

“We’re just hoping that his procedure is going to go well,” Kavulich said. “And he’s got God with him – no doubt about that.”

For now, attention remains on the pope’s recovery at Gemelli and on the Vatican’s expected updates during the coming days. The successful completion of the operation and the early detection of the growth are central elements in the information released so far, while Leo’s cancelled appearances are intended to give him time to recuperate before resuming public duties.