Pope Leo XIV departed the Vatican on Tuesday for the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital in Rome, where he is scheduled to undergo surgery to remove a nodule from his lung. The Vatican press office confirmed his admission to the hospital, stating that the operation would be performed by the thoracic surgery team led by Professor Stefano Margaritora.

The pontiff announced his upcoming surgery on Sunday, stating that the nodule was discovered in its initial phase and was well-localized. Doctors deemed intervention opportune for the 71-year-old Pope Leo, who is the first American pontiff and was elected the church's 267th leader in May 2025. The Vatican indicated that additional information regarding the procedure and his condition would be provided on Tuesday evening.

According to the American Lung Association, a lung nodule, also known as a pulmonary nodule, is a small mass of dense tissue within the lung. Pope Leo expressed confidence on Sunday regarding the procedure, and Vatican media reported that Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's secretary of state, was struck by the pontiff's serenity when he heard the announcement. "We are confident, and of course we all accompany him with our prayers and our affection," Cardinal Parolin reportedly said.

The expected recovery period for Pope Leo at the Rome hospital is approximately one week. Gemelli Hospital, formally the Policlinico Universitario Fondazione Agostino Gemelli, is the largest hospital in Rome and has served as the primary medical facility for popes, including Pope Francis, Leo's immediate predecessor.

Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, hails from Chicago. His election in May 2025 marked a significant moment in the history of the Catholic Church, making him the first pontiff from the United States. The Vatican has not provided further details on the exact nature or size of the nodule beyond its initial discovery.

The decision for surgery comes after medical professionals evaluated the nodule and concluded that an operation was the most appropriate course of action at this stage. The pontiff's public announcement on Sunday allowed for prayers and well-wishes from the global Catholic community.

This marks a significant health event for the current pontiff, who has been leading the church since his election. The focus now shifts to his recovery and the successful completion of the surgical procedure.

Further updates are anticipated from the Vatican press office following the completion of the surgery and as the Pope's recovery progresses.