ROME (OSV News): The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Leo XIV will be admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on October 13 before undergoing lung surgery, prompting the cancellation of several public appearances and meetings for the coming week.
In a statement to journalists on October 12, the Vatican press office said that Pope Leo will enter Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on the morning of October 13.
The Vatican did not confirm whether the operation will be performed on that day or the nex.
Matteo Bruni, Vatican spokesperson has said the pope is expected to remain hospitalised for about a week following the operation, prompting changes to a schedule that included a Mass in St. Peter’s Square, an awards ceremony in Castel Gandolfo, an address to an infertility conference, a meeting with bishops from Nicaragua, and closing remarks at the Vatican family summit.
Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, who was elected as dean of the College of Cardinals on October 8, will preside in the pope’s place at the October 14 Mass in St. Peter’s Square to close the Vatican meeting of the world’s bishops’ conference presidents and the heads of Eastern Catholic Churches marking the 10th anniversary of Amoris Laetitia.
Pope Leo had also been scheduled to deliver the congress’ closing address later that evening, but will no longer attend.
Because of his anticipated recovery period, Pope Leo is also expected to miss his previously announced speech to open the international infertility conference, “The Splendor of Humanity: Preserving Fertility, Curing Infertility,” on October 16. The conference is co-sponsored by Gemelli Hospital, where the pope is scheduled to have surgery.
Bishops from Nicaragua, who are visiting Rome for their scheduled ad limina visit, were also expecting to meet the pope for a private audience this week.
Pope Leo received Bishop Carlos Enrique Herrera Gutiérrez, the president of the Nicaraguan Bishops’ Cconference, for a private audience at the Vatican on October 12, one of six private audiences the pope held on the day before his scheduled surgery.
