Pope Leo XIV is set to be admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday, October 13, for surgery to remove a “small, localized lung nodule.” The upcoming operation was initially announced by the Pope himself during Sunday’s Angelus address, where he noted that the issue was detected during recent medical examinations. Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office, confirmed on Monday that these tests were part of routine health checks and stated that the Holy Father’s hospital stay is expected to last about a week.
Despite his upcoming surgery and receiving messages of support from religious and political leaders worldwide, Pope Leo maintained his full schedule of private audiences on Monday morning. However, he stepped back from attending the afternoon session of a major gathering in the Paul VI Hall commemorating the tenth anniversary of the apostolic exhortation Amoris laetitia.
The hospitalization has necessitated several adjustments to the papal schedule. Notably, Pope Leo will no longer preside over Wednesday’s Mass in St. Peter’s Square with meeting participants, delegating the role instead to Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization and Dean of the College of Cardinals. Jesuit Fr. Giacomo Costa, overseer of the meeting’s methodology, shared that prayers will be offered during the Mass specifically for the Holy Father’s recovery and for families.
Additionally, the timeline for the event’s final synthesis report has been modified at the Pope’s request. Expressing a strong desire to listen to the participants’ conclusions and offer his own guidance, Pope Leo requested that the final report remain unpublished until he can review the proceedings post-recovery. Following his discharge, the Pope plans to examine the document and related materials to deliver a reflection that will support and guide the broader Church.