Pope Leo XIV will be admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on Tuesday morning to undergo surgery to remove a lung nodule. The 71-year-old pontiff revealed the discovery of the small growth of dense tissue during his Sunday noon prayer, stating that he is following medical advice to have it removed.
While the pope maintained his regular schedule on Monday, his audiences have been canceled until October 20. He is considered otherwise healthy and physically fit, which are viewed as positive factors for his recovery.
Doctors expect the recovery period to last approximately one week. This timeline should allow the pontiff to proceed with his planned visit to Latin America, including stops in Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, from November 6 to 17.