Pope Leo XIV underwent successful surgery to remove a small lung growth Tuesday and returned to his hospital room, the Vatican said.
The 71-year-old pontiff is expected to remain hospitalized for about a week. His public appearances have been canceled until Oct. 20.
Doctors performed the operation Tuesday afternoon at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli University Policlinic hospital, marking Leo’s first hospitalization since becoming pope.
The Vatican described the surgery as “successful” and said Tuesday evening that it had proceeded “according to plan.” Leo “has returned to his room,” the statement said.
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said Catholic clergy were praying for the pontiff’s recovery.
“We were all struck by the serenity with which the Pope announced this procedure,” Parolin told Italian media Tuesday. “We hope he can resolve this issue as soon as possible. We are confident, but naturally, we are supporting him with our prayers.”
Leo revealed the health issue Sunday to the crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square. Doctors had discovered a “nodule” on his lung and advised him to have it removed, he said.
The pope said the growth had been detected “at a very early stage” and was “well-contained.”
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Lung nodules are often benign, but it has not been established whether Leo’s growth is benign or malignant.
“Surgeries to remove a nodule are usually minimally invasive with a low rate of complications,” said Dr. Matthew Triplette, medical director of the Lung Cancer Screening Program and a specialist in pulmonary and critical care medicine.
Patients typically remain hospitalized for a few days before continuing their recovery at home, Triplette said. A Vatican spokesman said Sunday that Leo would need about a week to recover.
The pope retains full papal authority during his hospitalization, including while unconscious under anesthesia. The Vatican has no specific rules for transferring leadership of the Catholic Church when a pontiff becomes incapacitated.
A separate team already handles day-to-day Vatican operations. Both Pope Francis and Pope John Paul II issued laws and statements while hospitalized.
Gemelli, a private medical facility in northwest Rome, has long served as the hospital of choice for papal care. A special suite for the pope occupies its 10th floor.
John Paul II famously dubbed the hospital “Vatican three” during his frequent stays, counting St. Peter’s as the first and the papal residence at Castel Gandolfo as the second.
Francis also spent an extended period at Gemelli early last year while being treated for pneumonia.
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[ H/T Trending Politics ]
