Pope Leo XIV Undergoes Lung Surgery in Rome
Pope Leo XIV is set for abdominal surgery at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital after discovering a lung nodule.
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Pope Leo XIV has been admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for planned abdominal surgery to remove an early-stage lung nodule. The 71-year-old Pontiff announced the news during his Sunday Angelus prayer, stating that doctors recommended the procedure to address the localized nodule in his lung.
Speaking from St. Peter’s Square, the Pope emphasized that the decision to undergo surgery followed the advice of medical professionals. “The doctors believe it is best to intervene, so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to have it removed,” he said.
Vatican Announces Post-Surgery Plans
The Vatican’s Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, confirmed the Pope’s admission to the Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday. Bruni also noted that the Pope will require approximately one week of post-operative hospitalization. As a result, all of the Pope’s audiences have been canceled through Tuesday, October 20.
Other events planned for the week, including a Mass in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday, will be presided over by Cardinals and Vatican representatives. The Pope’s serenity in the face of the surgery has been praised by Vatican officials, with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin describing the news as a “bolt from the blue” but expressing confidence in the Pope’s resilience.
Global Travel Plans Continue
Despite the Pope’s health issues, preparations for his upcoming November 6-17 Apostolic journey to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru remain unchanged, according to the Uruguayan Catholic Church representative. “We talked about his trip to South America, and at no point did he express any doubts about it,” said Monsignor Jorge Eduardo Lozano, Archbishop of San Juan, Argentina.
Parolin also reiterated the Vatican’s unwavering support for the Pope, stating that the medical team is confident about the procedure and its outcomes. “We hope, as he said, that we are truly at the very beginning of this difficult time, and that the problem can therefore be resolved as soon as possible,” he added.
Source: Breitbart
