Pope Leo admitted to hospital for operation to remove growth on lung

Leo arrived at hospital on Tuesday for the surgery, which is deemed low risk and could take place this afternoon

Pope Leo has been admitted to hospital in Rome for an operation to remove a small growth from his lung, a discovery a top Vatican cardinal said had come “like a bolt out of the blue”.

“The doctors believe it would be right to intervene and so, following their advice, I have decided to have the operation to remove it,” he said to the crowds gathered in St Peter’s Square.

The Vatican has not disclosed the timing of the operation, although it could take place on Tuesday afternoon, according to Italian media reports. All of his appointments have been cancelled until 20 October.

The operation is deemed low risk and will determine whether the nodule is malignant.

The Chicago-born pope, who enjoys sports, especially playing tennis, is generally believed to be in good health. He often makes use of the papal retreat in Castel Gandolfo, close to Rome.

The weekly papal audience on Wednesday will be led by Luis Antonio Tagle, a cardinal from the Philippines who last week was elected dean of the college of cardinals – the authority that presides over papal conclaves.

Leo’s predecessor, Francis, spent more than five weeks in the hospital, being treated for bronchitis which developed into bilateral pneumonia. He died at home in Casa Santa Marta in Vatican City on 21 April 2025, just under a month after being discharged.