Pope Leo is to be admitted to hospital on Tuesday ahead of surgery to remove a lung nodule found in a routine check-up

Pope Leo XIV, 71, is due to arrive at Rome's Gemelli Hospital late Tuesday morning for an operation to remove a small nodule caught at an early stage in one of his lungs, the Vatican announced Monday. Despite the upcoming procedure, the pontiff maintained a packed Monday diary, chairing seven meetings, and the Vatican has indicated he should be back on his feet within roughly a week of surgery. Medical experts note that under 5% of lung nodules prove to be malignant, and that catching one early is associated with an excellent outlook.

At Sunday's Angelus, Leo described the growth as 'well-defined, detected at a very early stage and clearly localised', and expressed gratitude for the prayers of well-wishers.

Gemelli Hospital has a dedicated 10th-floor papal apartment complete with a private chapel; Leo's predecessor Pope Francis died in May 2025 after receiving treatment there for a respiratory crisis.

Leo's scheduled November visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru remains in doubt, and a Vatican Mass on Wednesday may go ahead in his absence, presided over by a cardinal.