Pope Leo XIV, the spiritual leader of 1.4 billion Catholics, has been hospitalized in Rome for a surgical procedure. On Tuesday, he checked into Rome’s Gemelli Hospital to have a lung nodule removed. This marks his first significant medical intervention since assuming the papacy 17 months ago.
The announcement of the surgery caught many by surprise. Several hundred individuals gathered outside Gemelli Hospital to show support for the pontiff. Vatican City officials were taken aback by the news, highlighting the Pope’s importance and the concern for his health.