Pope Cancels Audiences Until October 20 Due to Surgery

Pope Leo XIV has cancelled all hearings scheduled for this week due to surgery to remove a lump in the lung, scheduled for Tuesday. The Vatican also announced the cancellation of the entire pontiff’s agenda until October 20. The surgery will be performed at the Gemelli hospital in Rome and the recovery is expected to last about a week, according to spokesman Matteo Bruni.

On Sunday, during the Angelus prayer in São Pedro Square, the pontiff revealed that doctors detected an early-stage lump in his lung and recommended surgery. Leo XIV, 71, said the growth of the nodule was "well controlled" but that the removal was advised by the medical team. The announcement was made directly to the faithful, who crowded the place for the traditional Sunday prayer.

Surgery at the Gemelli hospital

The Vatican has confirmed that the pope will be admitted on Tuesday to the Gemelli hospital in Rome for the procedure. Spokesman Matteo Bruni did not provide details on the examination that identified the lump, limiting himself to informing that the surgery will occur "in a few days" and that the recovery will take about a week. The source did not detail whether additional examinations would be needed or whether the pontiff would remain in hospital after discharge.

The Gemelli hospital is a reference in attending to leaders of the Catholic Church, having received Pope Francis on several occasions. The choice of location reinforces the routine character of the procedure, although the Vatican has not disclosed the name of the surgeon responsible. The expectation is that Leo XIV will resume his activities gradually after the rest period.

Schedule cancelled until October 20

In addition to this week's hearings, the Vatican said all of the pontiff's appointments until October 20 had been cancelled. The measure includes meetings with authorities, celebrations and public events. The source did not specify whether the pope would continue the planned trip to Latin America in early November, the first to the continent since his election.

On Sunday, during the Angelus, Leo XIV referred to the pastoral journey, thanking the faithful for the prayers "for the pastoral journey that I will make". The two-week trip includes visits to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, where the pontiff lived for more than 20 years. Spokesman Matteo Bruni did not confirm whether the surgery would affect the script.

Nodule in early stage

The pope said the nodule was detected at an early stage and that its growth is "well controlled". Still, doctors recommended surgical removal as a preventive measure. The statement was made on Sunday during prayer in São Pedro Square, and transmitted to thousands of faithful around the world.

Leo XIV, of American origin, was elected pope in May 2025, replacing Pope Francis, who died in April last year after a series of health problems. The current pontiff does not have any other known health problems, according to the Vatican, and he usually exercises regularly, practicing swimming and tennis.

Health status and routine

Until the last update of this report, there was no information on the current state of the pontiff. The Vatican did not release a detailed medical report, only confirming the hospitalization and the procedure. The source also did not say whether the pope would continue with the agenda after the recovery, leaving open the possibility of further cancellations.

The Pope’s routine of physical exercise, which includes swimming and tennis, is seen as a positive factor for postoperative recovery. Experts heard by the international press, although not officially cited by the Vatican, point out that surgery for removal of pulmonary nodules at an early stage usually has good prognoses, with low risk of complications.

Travel to Latin America in doubt

The Pope’s trip to Latin America, scheduled for early November, is one of the main points of attention after the announcement of the surgery. Leo XIV plans to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru on a two-week journey that would mark his first visit to the continent since the election. The roadmap includes meetings with political leaders, religious celebrations and visits to needy communities.

Spokesman Matteo Bruni did not confirm whether the trip would be maintained, postponed or cancelled. The recovery of a week, estimated by the Vatican, may be enough for the pope to resume normal activities, but the final decision will depend on clinical evolution. The source did not detail whether there will be a medical evaluation prior to the trip.

Impact on the Church and the faithful

The cancellation of the hearings until October 20 directly affects the agenda of the Holy See, which includes meetings with bishops, ambassadors and representatives of other religions. The measure is seen as necessary to ensure the full recovery of the pontiff, who took over the papacy less than a year and a half ago.

Faithfuls from all over the world have expressed support on social networks, with messages of prayer and wishes for a speedy recovery. The São Pedro Square, the site of the announcement on Sunday, is expected to receive more visitors in the coming days, in solidarity with the pope. The Vatican did not say if there will be any special ceremonies during the period of hospitalization.

The Boca no Trombone portal will continue to follow the developments and will bring updates as new information is released by the Vatican.

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