Gemelli Hospital Prepares for Pope Leo’s Lung Procedure

Gemelli Hospital in Rome has readied its surgical team for Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming lung nodule removal. The 71‑year‑old Pope was admitted on Tuesday for a minimally invasive operation to extract a small tissue growth discovered during a routine check‑up. Vatican officials have stressed that the surgery carries minimal risk and that the nodule was identified at an early, non‑cancerous stage. After announcing the admission during the Angelus prayer, the Pope addressed the faithful in St. Peter’s Square, noting that doctors advised prompt treatment. The Vatican expects a recovery period of about seven days, cancelling all public events through October 20. Leo will stay in a secure, top‑floor suite at Gemelli, likely accompanied by his personal nurse Massimiliano Strappeti, who previously tended to Pope Francis. The American‑born pontiff, known for his athletic interests, remains in good health overall and is slated for a November tour of Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.