Pope Leo XIV successfully completes lung surgery

The operation to remove a lung nodule, which Pope Leo XIV underwent at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, was successfully completed within the scheduled time and according to the planned procedure. Following the operation, the Holy Father returned to his room, the Vatican Press Office announced.

The procedure was performed by a surgical team led by Professor Stefano Margaritora. The Pope, whose name is Robert Francis Prevost, had been admitted for the removal of the lung nodule.

On Tuesday, October 13, at around 1:00 p.m., the Pope left the Vatican through the Perugino Gate, where he greeted the people who were there, Italian media reported.

After arriving at Gemelli Hospital, he got out of the vehicle and entered through the complex’s main gate. Many people were waiting for him in the square in front of the building, while the Pope appeared calm, smiling and moved by the warm welcome.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Vatican, expressed optimism that the Pope’s health would improve as quickly as possible.

“I met the Pope last night and we spoke very calmly. He is a great example in this regard as well,” Parolin told reporters on the sidelines of an event held at the Pontifical Gregorian University.

He noted that everyone had been impressed by the Pope’s calmness when he announced that a lung nodule had been discovered.

“We are at the beginning of this difficulty and hope that the problem will be resolved as quickly as possible. We are optimistic and accompany him with our prayers,” the cardinal added.

A special security plan has been put in place for the hospital

Italian newspaper Il Messaggero reported that a special security plan had been drawn up for the Pope’s stay in hospital. It provides for the monitoring of entrances and exits, while alphanumeric codes or pseudonyms will be used to register medical tests in order to protect the Pope’s privacy.

According to the same source, Leo XIV is not staying in the special apartment for popes because it is being renovated. Instead, the Pope has been accommodated in another area on the hospital’s 10th floor.

This section of the hospital has been separated from the rest of the complex, and access is limited to people authorized by the Prefecture of the Papal Household.

The Vatican announced that further information about the Pope’s condition would be made public in due course.