Pope Leo XIV has been admitted to Rome’s Agostino Gemelli University Hospital and will undergo surgery on Tuesday afternoon to remove a “small, localized nodule” from his lung.
According to the Holy See Press Office, the operation will be carried out by the hospital’s thoracic surgery team, led by Professor Stefano Margaritora.
The 71-year-old pontiff has offered a rare level of transparency about the first publicly disclosed major health problem of his 17-month papacy.
He revealed the discovery of the small, localized nodule during his Sunday noon prayer and announced that he would have it removed.
The surgery, which is usually performed under general anesthesia, will require a weeklong hospital stay.
The Vatican on Monday cancelled all Leo’s audiences through Oct. 20.
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