Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to undergo surgery to remove a nodule from his lung at a hospital in Rome, with his recovery expected to take about a week.
The 71-year-old pontiff was due to be admitted to Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday morning, according to Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni.
The procedure will mark Leo’s first hospitalisation since he became head of the Catholic Church on May 8, 2025.
The Vatican announced on Sunday that doctors had discovered the pulmonary nodule at an early stage during routine medical checks. The Pope told worshippers in St Peter’s Square that doctors had recommended surgery.
His audiences have been cancelled until October 20 to allow him time to recover.
Leo is expected to stay in a specially secured suite on the top floor of Gemelli Hospital, which has traditionally treated popes. His personal nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, is also expected to accompany him.
Medical experts have described the procedure as generally low-risk, although recovery times may vary.
Thoracic surgery expert Marco Scarci told AFP that while the Pope could recover relatively quickly, returning to his previous level of fitness could take up to three months.
Pulmonary nodules are small growths of tissue in the lungs. Most are benign, although some can indicate early-stage lung cancer.
The Vatican said the nodule was discovered during routine checks and that the Pope had not experienced symptoms that prompted the examination.
Professor Federico Venuta, head of thoracic surgery at Policlinico Umberto I Hospital in Rome, told AFP that such growths can have several causes, including inflammation, infection and, in some cases, cancer.
He added that the outlook for a generally healthy person with lung cancer detected at such an early stage is favourable.
The Pope is scheduled to travel to South America from November 6 to 17, with planned visits to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. However, his recovery and fitness to travel will be important considerations ahead of the trip.