Pope Leo XIV admitted to hospital for lung surgery
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- The procedure is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, led by Dr. Stefano Margaritora, chief thoracic surgeon at Gemelli hospital
- This marks the first health challenge of Leo’s 17-month papacy
- Vatican has not yet indicated whether the recovery will impact his scheduled travel to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru in November
Pope Leo XIV entered Rome’s Agostino Gemelli University Hospital on Tuesday morning ahead of planned surgery to remove a lung nodule.
Arriving via a brief drive from the Vatican, the Pontiff walked through the primary entrance and greeted well-wishers assembled outside before being admitted. The procedure, scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, is being led by Dr. Stefano Margaritora, Gemelli's chief thoracic surgeon.
The 71-year-old Pontiff publicly revealed the diagnosis during his Sunday Angelus address in St. Peter’s Square, explaining that routine medical checks uncovered a small, highly localized nodule.
Reassuring pilgrims, the Pope noted that doctors advised prompt surgical removal given its early detection. The Vatican press office subsequently stated that the Pontiff is expected to require about a week of recovery time.
Reactions to the Pope's announcement were swift. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni commended the "calmness" with which the Pontiff addressed his health, offering the support of the Italian government.
In South America, Church leaders, including Archbishop Daniel Sturla of Montevideo and the Argentine Bishops' Conference, urged Catholics to pray for a full and swift recovery while continuing preparations for the Pope's planned state visit to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 6 to 17.
Medical experts at Gemelli, a facility with a long history of treating popes since the era of John Paul II, note that removing the lesion will allow pathologists to assess whether it is malignant and determine if further treatment is required.
