Pope Leo XIV has been admitted to hospital in Rome for an operation to remove a small growth from his lung, raising questions about the pontiff's health as doctors investigate whether the nodule is cancerous.

The 71-year-old leader of the Roman Catholic Church said the growth had been detected early and was well-contained, but the procedure scheduled for Tuesday afternoon will determine whether it is malignant.

His hospitalisation has prompted the cancellation of his public appointments until 20 October, temporarily shifting some of his responsibilities to senior cardinals.

Doctors Discovered the Lung Nodule During a Check-up

Leo revealed the discovery during his Angelus prayer in St Peter's Square on Sunday, telling the gathered crowds that doctors had identified a small nodule on his lung during a medical examination.

The pope said he had decided to undergo surgery on medical advice. 'The doctors believe it would be right to intervene and so, following their advice, I have decided to have the operation to remove it,' he said.

The Vatican confirmed that Leo had been admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital, with the operation expected to take place on Tuesday afternoon. The procedure is considered low risk, according to the report, although doctors will need to examine the growth to establish whether it is malignant.

A lung nodule is a small area of abnormal tissue in the lung. Such growths can have several causes, including previous infections, inflammation and cancer. Finding a nodule does not automatically mean a person has cancer, and further medical assessment is needed to determine its nature.

Cardinal Says Discovery Came as a Surprise

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, said he had visited Leo on Monday evening and found him calm.

'We spoke with great serenity,' Parolin told Italian broadcaster Rai News, describing the announcement as unexpected.

'The announcement came like a bolt out of the blue, nobody expected it,' he said, adding that the growth had been detected promptly.

Parolin expressed hope that the early discovery would help doctors address the problem. However, the Vatican had not announced a cancer diagnosis, and the operation was expected to provide further information about the nodule.

Leo will stay in the hospital's 10-floor private-patient wing rather than the papal suite, which is undergoing renovations. Gemelli has a long history of treating popes, including John Paul II, who was admitted there on numerous occasions.

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Hospital Stay Interrupts the Pope's Public Duties

The Vatican cancelled Leo's appointments until 20 October as he prepares for surgery and recovery. Wednesday's weekly papal audience will instead be led by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, who was elected dean of the College of Cardinals the previous week.

Born in Chicago, Leo became the first US-born leader of the Roman Catholic Church when he was elected pope in May 2025. He travelled to France in September and had been scheduled to undertake a 12-day visit to South America in November, covering 10 cities.

The Vatican had not announced any change to that planned trip in the information available at the time of the report.

Leo's Hospitalisation Recalls His Predecessor's Health Struggles

Leo is generally regarded as being in good health and enjoys sports, particularly tennis. His admission marks his first hospitalisation since becoming pope, according to the report.

Gemelli is also closely associated with his predecessor, Pope Francis, who spent more than five weeks there after bronchitis developed into bilateral pneumonia. Francis was discharged before dying at his Vatican residence, Casa Santa Marta, on 21 April 2025.

For Leo, the immediate priority is the lung operation and the medical assessment that follows. Until doctors establish what the nodule is, its presence alone cannot confirm cancer. The Vatican's next updates will be important in clarifying the outcome of the procedure and its implications for the pope's schedule.

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