Pope Leo XIV Undergoes Successful Lung Surgery; Vatican Cancels Audiences Until October 20

Pope Leo XIV underwent successful surgery to remove a lung nodule at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on October 13, the Vatican announced, adding that the pontiff had returned to his room following the procedure.

The 71-year-old pope was admitted to hospital at 1 PM local time, with chief thoracic surgeon Dr Stefano Margaritora leading the medical team.

The Holy See Press Office confirmed shortly before 8 PM that doctors had completed the operation as planned.

Pope Leo is expected to stay in hospital for about a week. The Vatican has cancelled all his scheduled audiences until October 20.

As the pope underwent surgery, Catholics gathered at the hospital chapel to pray for his recovery.

Cardinal Baldassare Reina, vicar general of the Diocese of Rome, led a rosary service attended by religious sisters, priests and other well-wishers.

Sister Alphonsa Manikkathan from Kerala, along with fellow members of the Daughters of Divine Providence, joined the prayers. She said they prayed for the pope every day and hoped for his speedy recovery.

Spanish priest Father Miguel Silvestre Bengoa expressed solidarity, saying the faithful shared the pope’s suffering and hoped to see him back at the Vatican soon.

Pope Leo revealed the lung nodule during his October 11 Angelus address in St Peter’s Square.

Doctors detected it early and recommended surgery, which he agreed to undergo.

Political leaders, religious figures and Catholic bishops worldwide have since offered prayers and support.

A recently published biography says this is his second hospitalisation. Before his election, he received treatment for typhoid fever in Peru in 1985, shortly after arriving as an Augustinian missionary.

The surgery comes ahead of his planned South American visit from November 6 to 17, covering Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. The Vatican has not announced any changes to the trip.

Cardinal Isao Kikuchi, Archbishop of Tokyo, said the pope wanted prompt surgery to allow enough recovery time before the visit. He urged the faithful to continue praying for him.

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