Vatican expects roughly a week in hospital after Pope Leo's surgery

Pope Leo XIV may remain in hospital for approximately a week after planned surgery to remove a lung nodule. Holy See press office director Matteo Bruni gave that estimated duration on October 11.

Vatican News said the procedure was planned for the first days of the coming week at Rome's Gemelli hospital. The statement forecasts a postoperative hospital stay; it does not report that surgery has taken place or recovery has begun.

Earlier on Sunday, Leo told the faithful about the nodule after the Angelus prayer. He said it had been detected at an early stage and that he had decided to follow doctors' recommendation to have it removed.

The cited statement did not specify an exact surgery date. Leo is 71 and became pope in May 2025. The eventual treatment timetable will depend on its progress.