Pope Leo’s surgery to remove a small nodule from one of his lungs was successful, the Vatican has announced, following his admission to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for the first major health concern of his 17-month papacy.
The 71-year-old pontiff underwent the procedure on Tuesday, about seven hours after he was admitted to the hospital.
“The procedure was completed successfully, within the expected timeframe and as planned,” the Vatican said in a brief statement issued late Tuesday, without providing further details.
Earlier, the Vatican said the operation was led by Professor Stefano Margaritora, chief thoracic surgeon at Gemelli Hospital.
Leo was taken from the Vatican to the hospital shortly before 1 p.m. local time, travelling in a black sports utility vehicle. On arrival, he shook hands with officials and greeted well-wishers gathered outside the facility before entering through the main entrance.
The pope disclosed on Sunday that the small lung nodule had been detected early during a recent medical check-up.
Medical experts say the procedure could help determine whether the growth is malignant and establish whether further treatment is necessary. The Vatican’s statement did not indicate whether additional tests had been conducted on the nodule.
The Vatican had earlier said Leo was expected to remain in hospital for about a week. All his public engagements have been cancelled until October 20.
A lung nodule is a small, localised growth that may be benign. According to the American Thoracic Society, fewer than five per cent of lung nodules overall prove cancerous, although the risk can increase with age, the size of the growth and other factors, including smoking.
Federico Venuto, chief of thoracic surgery at Rome’s Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, said procedures to remove lung nodules were generally minimally invasive and could involve a thin camera tube known as a thoracoscope.
Leo, who was elected by the world’s cardinals in May 2025, is relatively young for a pope and is known to maintain a busy schedule. He enjoys sports, including tennis, and is not known to smoke or have experienced recent major health problems.
His predecessor, Pope Francis, was hospitalised several times as his health deteriorated in his later years. He died aged 88 in April 2025.
Leo is scheduled to embark on an 11-day tour of Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17. His prompt surgery and expected recovery period could allow him to maintain the planned trip, depending on his progress.
The hospital suite traditionally reserved for popes receiving treatment at Gemelli is currently unavailable because it is undergoing renovations.
Born Robert Prevost in Chicago in 1955, Leo spent decades working as a missionary and bishop in Peru before becoming pope.
He previously recounted suffering from typhoid fever in 1985 while serving as a young priest in Chulucanas, Peru. He was hospitalised after experiencing severe pain and said he had prayed for death rather than continue suffering.
Reflecting on his recovery in an interview published in a book by Penguin Peru, Leo said he interpreted his survival as a sign from God that he was still needed on Earth.
“I never looked back,” he said.
