Pope Leo is set to undergo lung surgery

Pope Leo XIV is preparing to be admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday, October 13, for surgery to remove a localized mass in his lung. According to Vatican News, the pontiff personally announced the upcoming procedure during Sunday’s “Angelus” prayer, emphasizing that the growth was detected during recent routine medical examinations.

Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office, confirmed that the Pope’s health requires this elective procedure, followed by an expected one-week recovery period in the hospital. Despite his busy schedule, Leo XIV held all the audiences scheduled for Monday but was forced to miss the afternoon session of the meeting dedicated to the tenth anniversary of the publication of the apostolic exhortation *Amoris laetitia*.

The pontiff’s hospitalization has led to changes in the Church calendar. The Mass scheduled for Wednesday, October 14, in St. Peter’s Square will be presided over by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle instead of the Pope. During the event, participants will offer special prayers for the pontiff’s health.