Andrea Innocenti On October 13, the Pope arrived at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome to undergo chest surgery. The procedure was scheduled after a pulmonary nodule measuring less than six millimeters was discovered during routine checks. The Pope, who appeared serene upon admission, was greeted by a crowd of faithful and the directors of the Agostino Gemelli IRCCS University Hospital Foundation, including President Daniele Franco, General Director Daniele Piacentini , and Medical Director Andrea Cambieri.
Hospitalization at the Gemelli Polyclinic and medical team
The surgical team is led by Professor Stefano Margaritora, head of the thoracic surgery team. He is supported by Luigi Carbone, head of the Vatican Health and Hygiene Directorate, and Edoardo Mercadante, head of the Regina Elena National Cancer Institute in Rome . The surgery was performed late in the evening, with updates expected that evening.
Cardinal Baldo Reina , Vicar of Rome, invited parish communities to pray for the Pope.
The lung nodule: discovery and size
The nodule was detected at a very early stage, well-circumscribed and localized, thanks to a series of routine radiological tests. The images show an opacity denser than the surrounding tissue, but smaller than six millimeters, a size that does not automatically indicate malignancy.
Possible causes include scarring from previous infections or benign granulomas. Thanks to current minimally invasive techniques , the procedure can be performed with small incisions, limiting trauma and accelerating the return to normal activity.
Thoracic surgery: duration, techniques and recovery
According to the director of thoracic surgery, the surgery usually lasts between two and three hours . The procedure was performed using minimally invasive techniques, reducing the time under anesthesia and postoperative complications. In the absence of adverse events, the patient can walk and feed themselves independently the following day. A brief observation period in the intensive care unit is required before being transferred to the inpatient ward, where the recovery process will last approximately a week.
Impact on the Papal Calendar
Due to the surgery, all audiences scheduled through October 20 have been suspended. However, the trip to South America scheduled for November 6-17 remains confirmed, as confirmed by Brother Louis Prevost . The pontiff wanted to act quickly to avoid having to change the schedule of the apostolic visit. It is likely that while hospitalized, the Pope will be able to greet the faithful during the Angelus the following day, looking out from the tenth floor of the Gemelli Hospital, a practice already followed by some of his predecessors.