After Hospital Discharge, Pope Leo XIV Prays the Angelus in St. Peter's Square

Pope Leo XIV will be hospitalized on Tuesday, October 13, at the Agostino Gemelli University Polyclinic in Rome, Italy, for a surgical operation to remove a nodule in his lung.

Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office, confirmed that Pope Leo XIV will be admitted to the hospital on the following day, October 13, for surgery to remove a lung nodule.

The Holy See has not specified whether the operation will take place specifically on Tuesday or only the next day. Nevertheless, the Patriarch of Sumyer maintained his schedule for Monday.

Earlier, on Sunday, during the Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV announced the upcoming surgical intervention to treat a lung nodule.

He informed the faithful that recent check-ups revealed a limited nodule in his lung, and that he would undergo surgery in the coming days. The Pope noted that the lesion is in an early stage and is 'well localized.'

'Doctors believe the operation is necessary, and following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to remove it,' the Pope stated at the end of the prayer, adding that the procedure 'is already scheduled for the coming days.' He also thanked people for their spiritual closeness and asked for prayers for him.

Later, a Vatican representative, Matteo Bruni, clarified that the Pope would be operated on in the first days of the week, noting that 'in response to journalists' questions, I can say that the intervention is planned for the first days of next week.' Bruni also added that the expected postoperative stay would be about a week.

Pope Leo XIV unexpectedly announced to the faithful on Sunday during the Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican that he is scheduled for surgery to treat a small nodule in his lungs. In Portugal and other places, there was an immediate reaction with wishes for a full recovery.

Pope Leo XIV stated that a limited nodule was discovered in his lung during recent check-ups. He told those gathered in the Vatican: 'Recently, during some routine examinations, doctors found a limited nodule in my lung. I will be operated on in the coming days.'

The Supreme Pontiff specified that the lesion is in its early stages and is 'well localized.' He added that the doctors consider the operation necessary, and following their advice, he decided to undergo the procedure to remove the nodule, which is 'already scheduled for the coming days.' The Pope thanked the faithful for their spiritual closeness and asked them to pray for him.

A Vatican representative, Matteo Bruni, later confirmed that the operation is expected to take place in the first days of next week. In a brief statement, he also noted that the estimated hospital stay after the operation is about a week.

Reaction from Italian and Portuguese authorities

The first official reaction to the sudden announcement came from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. She expressed 'personal and governmental closeness to the ordeal' that Leo XIV 'must face in the coming days,' according to the official statement.

Meloni highly praised the public nature of the announcement made by the Pope from the window of the Apostolic Palace. She noted: 'The calmness and serenity with which he spoke about this [operation] during today's Angelus comfort us. I am sure that the Italian people will offer him all support and affection.'

In Portugal, the Conference of Bishops of Portugal (CEP) also reacted to the news, asking for prayers for Pope Leo XIV. The CEP expressed its spiritual closeness to the Holy Father and prayed to God to enlighten and accompany the medical team performing the intervention, as well as wishing the Pope a swift and complete recovery. It called on Christian communities in Portugal to pray with him, trusting in God's grace.

Cardinal Americo Aguiar also expressed solidarity with Leo XIV. In a message published on the Diocese of Setúbal's page, the Portuguese cardinal conveyed to Leo XIV 'very sincere words of friendship, tenderness, solidarity, and above all, deep unity and prayer.' The Bishop of Setúbal emphasized that the announcement of medical assistance was made by the Pope himself with 'exceptional transparency, simplicity, truth, and humanity.'

Bishop José Ornelas, speaking to SIC Notícias, reported receiving the news about the Pope with 'anxiety,' but also 'with hope,' and 'in harmony with him and the situation in which he lives.' He reminded that the Pope asked the Church to pray for him, and that he is always in their hearts and prayers. Ornelas added that they pray to God that this episode will only be a temporary stage in his life's journey, without any other consequences.

First health warning for Leo XIV

This is the first decline in Leo XIV's health after 16 months of a demanding schedule. Despite his duties, the Pope tries to maintain a balance between official business and personal life. According to AFP, he enjoys tennis and swimming and dedicates Tuesdays, his weekly day off, to sports, private meetings, and reading in Castel Gandolfo.

Robert Francis Prevozt, born in Chicago on September 14, 1955, took charge of the Catholic Church in May 2025 under the name Leo XIV. He succeeded Francis, the Argentine Jorge Bergoglio, who was Pope from 2013 until his death on April 21, 2025.