Pope Leo to have surgery to remove growth in lung

Speaking to pilgrims in St Peter’s Square after the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Leo said that “during some recent medical examinations, the doctors found a small, localised nodule in my lung”.

“It was detected at a very early stage and is well-localised,” he continued. “The doctors believe that it is best to intervene, so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to remove it.”

The Holy See confirmed that the operation will take place early in the coming week at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital – Italy’s largest cancer treatment centre – with the Pope expected to remain there for roughly one week to recover.

“I thank you for your spiritual closeness and entrust myself to your prayers,” Pope Leo said, concluding his Angelus address.

The 71-year-old Pope is known to enjoy regular exercise and has no publicised history of health complaints.

Among Pope Leo’s appointments scheduled for the coming week was the October 14 closing Mass of the meeting to mark the 10th anniversary of Amoris Laetitia, which he was due to celebrate alongside the presidents of bishops’ conference and heads of Eastern Catholic Churches gathered in Rome.

In a message to the Pope, Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella said he “will be able to count on the heartfelt thoughts of countless people, in Italy and throughout the world, whether believers or non-believers”.

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offered the Pope “my personal support, and that of the Italian government, for the challenge he is called to face in the coming days”.

“The serenity and calm with which he spoke at the Angelus today heartens us,” she said. “I am sure that the Italian people, too, will not fail to give their support and affection.”

Among other messages to the Pope from bishops around the world, Westminster Archbishop Richard Moth said Catholics in England and Wales would “keep him very specially in our prayers as he prepares to undergo surgery during the coming days”.

“We pray that following the procedure and a period of recovery, he will soon be restored to health,” Archbishop Moth said.

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Pope Leo announces operation to remove growth in lung (By Patrick Hudson/The Tablet)