The Vatican announced that all audiences of Pope Leo XIV have been suspended for two weeks, with a return expected on October 20, as he will be hospitalized on Tuesday to remove a pulmonary nodule.
Leo XIV, who is 71 years old, had announced on Sunday that he would undergo surgery in the coming days to treat a nodule located near his lung, which was detected in a very early stage.
In a previous statement, the Vatican had notified that the Pope would be hospitalized on Tuesday morning, although it did not specify whether the operation would take place that same day or later.
The Pope detailed on Sunday that the surgery would be performed to remove the pulmonary nodule, which was found in recent health exams and considered well-localized for removal. He stated that the doctors deemed the intervention timely and, following their advice, decided to undergo the procedure after the Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square.
Traditionally, the Roman hospital Gemelli, where the procedure will be carried out, has treated popes for medical treatments since the time of John Paul II (1978-2005).
No details have been released on how this surgery might affect the Pope's international schedule, which includes trips planned for Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru between November 6 and 17.
Robert Prevost, born in Chicago, became the leader of 1.4 billion Catholics globally and the first American Pope in history on May 8, 2025, succeeding Argentine Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88.
Despite having a less extravagant style than his predecessor, Leo XIV has gradually implemented his own way of leading the Catholic Church, dedicating attention to urgent global issues, from violent conflicts to Artificial Intelligence.
